By Mike Piellucci
FOXSportsSouthwest.com
Brad Richards and Loui Eriksson were named to the NHL All-Star Game on Tuesday, marking the first appearance for each.
Richards, 30, had built a reputation as perhaps the best player to never make an All-Star Game, but earned the long-deserved nod with a strong start to the season that has him sitting sixth in the league with 49 points.
Eriksson, 25, ranks eighth with 46 points after finishing 23rd in the league last season and is tied for eighth in the NHL in plus-minus rating at 17.
The Stars are one of 11 teams sending multiple players to the game, and one of five sending more than one forward.
Unlike years past, the two are not guaranteed to play on the same side. The new format has two captains alternately picking players until rosters are filled out, creating the potentially embarrassing scenario of one of the two Stars being the last player picked.
Then again, it's hard to imagine either one objecting to where they are selected after playing a combined 13 seasons before getting the nod.
Their wait will be over in a matter of weeks.The All-Star Game will be played Jan. 30 in Raleigh, N.C.
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