TORONTO — For all the teams and all the players Peter Laviolette has coached over his 22 years in the NHL, the 2024 All-Star Game team will be comprised primarily of skaters he has never coached before. Ta.
“it was [cool]It was just nice to play with completely different players,” the Rangers head coach said in the final. After losing by 7 points, he said: -4 for Saturday night’s game at Scotiabank Arena.
“I thought it was a good mix. It mixes it up with the players as well. I think it keeps things fresh. Even people you don’t see often, they might be on the same team or on the same line. unknown.”
Aside from Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, with whom Laviolette worked briefly with USA Hockey, the rest of the 59-year-old’s team was studded with stars he had never coached.
Oilers captain Connor McDavid headlined Laviolette’s team, along with Leon Draisaitl of the Oilers, David Pastrnak of the Bruins, Rasmus Dahlin of the Sabers, Robert Thomas of the Blues and Sam Reinhart of the Panthers. and Sergei Bobrovsky, Boone Jenner of the Blue Jackets, Nick Suzuki of the Canadiens and Tomas Hartl of the Sharks round out the roster.
Laviolette and Team McDavid’s celebrity captain was Canadian actor and comedian Will Arnett.
Laviolette said of Arnett, “He’s a really nice guy, a really easy guy to talk to.” Arnett’s on-ice career dates back to his role as Stranz van Waldenberg in the movie Blades of Glory. “He gave us a speech in the first game against the best players. Just a positive guy. Hockey fans.
“You mentioned the players, the mix of divisions, the draft, not being with guys that you don’t usually hang out with, guys that you don’t see that often, but for a guy like him to come in, It’s great. I’m a huge fan of the game and I love the game.”
Canadian singer Justin Bieber served as Team Matthews’ celebrity captain and actually warmed up before three mini-All-Star Games.
Afterwards, the 29-year-old superstar was seen taking pictures with his favorite Toronto players and friends on the ice. Bieber seemed to be living his childhood dreams into reality.
Vincent Trocheck said of Bieber, “He’s a very cool, nice, normal guy.” “He had a lot of fun too. He was really great.”
Trocheck’s son, Leo, was also a star of the weekend for the Rangers.
“He met all the players,” said Trocheck, who had two assists throughout the All-Star Game tournament. “He met Wayne Gretzky, Justin Bieber, Sidney Crosby. He ran up to Sidney Crosby in the hotel lobby. [on Friday] Then I asked if I could take a picture with him. I think he kind of understands that this kind of thing is really cool.
“But I think when he gets older, he’s going to look back on it and think that was the coolest thing.”
Bruins forward David Pastrnak mentioned the fact that four Maple Leafs players won the All-Star Game.
“Good for them,” he said with a smile. “They needed some wins. They got one.”
