Hockey Quote: Brendan Shanahan on All Star Game

Hockey Quote:
Brendan Shanahan on All Star Game

In case you didn’t already know, this whole new All-Star game concept was the brainchild of the NHL's V.P. for Hockey and Business Development, Brendan Shanahan. He worked with the NHL’s hockey operations department, player's association, league executive and team general managers to determine the new format of the All-Star game after taking suggestions and advice from fans.

Furthermore, Shanahan and the rest of the department are the ones responsible for recently naming the rest of the players. He spoke to NHL.com about what went into the selection process. Because of his outright honesty, I couldn't help but cherry pick some of his responses as this week’s quotes of the week:

"Without identifying specific teams or players, there were players that reached out to their general managers, who then reached out to the League to quietly say, 'This guy is playing but he has a nagging injury and he's asked me to ask you to leave him off,' " said Shanahan. "We have to respect that."

"It's just a collection of people in Hockey Operations sharing information," he said on how they selected the players. "There were some guys that were automatics and other guys that it came down to how they performed right up until the selection. It's a collaborative thing. There are probably several more players that could -- and still may -- end up being in the game."

"We try to find a balance between what a player is doing this season and what he's done in his career," Shanahan said. "There are certain players that have had all-star careers and this is a show for the fans, and fans just want to see these guys. We'd love to have another 20 spots to include everybody."

"It didn't come down to one game, but certainly if you're saying a couple of guys are tied, if we're split between player A and player B, it probably played into it if player A has had a better January as opposed to October," he said. "But, no, it didn't come down to any player like, 'If he gets the shutout tonight he's in.' There is no shortage of players.

"Our biggest problem -- and it's a great problem to have -- is that we just have so many great players that could potentially play in this game."

You certainly have to appreciate Shanny’s candor. Next up for the department -  picking out the team’s captains. Can't wait!