Lightning

Lightning seek to put on show for hometown All-Star crowd

by
Brooks Roland
January 27, 2018

Since taking control as owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010, Jeff Vinik engineered a transformation. A transformation of both the franchise and the Tampa Bay area. Once an afterthought in the eyes of the rest of the NHL, the Lightning turned themselves into a model organization. One worthy of contention for the Stanley Cup, as well as one worthy of hosting the NHL All-Star Game.

As a result of leading the NHL in points this season, the Lightning sent a league-high four players to this weekend’s All-Star festivities at Amalie Arena. This isn’t the first All-Star rodeo for Atlantic Division captain Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, or Victor Hedman. However, Andrei Vasilevskiy will be making his first appearance. Thanks to Hedman’s injury a couple of weeks ago, second-year center Brayden Point received the nod to take Hedman’s spot.

Speaking at Media Day at the Grand Hyatt hotel, the Lightning’s representatives were excited to represent not only their team, but to show off the area for the rest of the hockey world.

“I think that was the thing I was most excited about, was to just show off our city, show off our community,” said Stamkos. “There’s not a lot of people that get to see it on an everyday basis like I do. To see the transformation that’s taken place in the last eight years since Mr. Vinik took over the team, this is a hockey town. This event hasn’t even started yet, and last night was a perfect example of the crowds and the lines of people waiting to meet the players, and it’s been pretty amazing to be part of that transition.”

Vasilevski expressed his excitement to be able to participate in his first All-Star game in front of the hometown crowd.

“It’s a pretty good feeling. I appreciate the opportunity to be here, especially my first time in front of our fans,” said Vasilevskiy.

Andrei Vasilevskiy talks about his first #NHLAllStar and what it means to him pic.twitter.com/Z0zxHRNlMr

— The Scrum Sports (@TheScrumSports) January 27, 2018

Despite being an injury replacement for Hedman, Point’s season is worthy of All-Star inclusion on its own merit.

“I was super excited and it was super unexpected,” said Point during one of the Media Day scrums. “I woke up my parents in the middle of the night and told them the news, and they were super happy for me.”

Despite ranking second on the team in goals (20) and third in points (44), Point was very humble about his inclusion onto the Atlantic Division roster.

“There’s lots of guys that could’ve gotten the call for sure,” said Point. “I don’t really think of myself as an All-Star, even on our team, there’s so many guys.”

When asked if it means more that his first All-Star nod is in Tampa, Point didn’t hesitate in his answer.

“For sure. To have it in front of our fans is awesome.”