TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning announced that forwards Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier have all been selected to appear on the NHL All-Star fan ballot for the 58th annual NHL All-Star Game, presented by Discover, to be held January 30 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
For the fourth consecutive season, the balloting process is entirely digital, offering sports' most tech-savvy fans the ability to vote as often as they like via mobile devices and online at NHL.com/vote, which will feature interactive English and French ballots. Each player ballot includes video highlights and real-time player statistics. In addition, fans this season can vote on the NHL's official Facebook page at facebook.com/NHL or cast their selection via text message using any mobile device and wireless carrier by texting their favorite player's last name to 81812. Messaging and data rates may apply.
Through January 3, fans will be able to select up to six players by position including three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender, without regard to the Conference in which their teams play. As part of a new format for the 2011 contest, the three forwards, two defensemen and goaltender with the most votes will be named first NHL All-Stars.
"The All-Star Fan Balloting has always been about fan engagement and giving fans the chance to see their favorite players face off in the All-Star Game," NHL Executive Vice President of Marketing Brian Jennings said. "The exciting changes to the format for the All-Star Game and Honda NHL SuperSkills Competition should spark the intensity in this year's balloting process."
Stamkos, who was awarded the Rocket Richard Trophy last season with an NHL-best 51 goals, is making his first appearance on the ballot and currently leads all NHL skaters in scoring this season with 15 goals, 28 points and seven power-play goals. He is also tied for fourth in the league with 13 assists. He previously represented the Lightning at the 2009 NHL YoungStars Game as part of All-Star Weekend two seasons ago at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
A veteran of five NHL All-Star Games, St. Louis last represented the Lightning in 2009 following consecutive selections in both 2003 and 2004, as well as in 2007 and 2008. After finishing last season ranked fifth in the NHL with 94 points, which included a career-high 65 assists, St. Louis is tied for sixth among all NHL players in scoring this season with 19 points and also leads the Lightning with 68 shots on goal.
Lecavalier holds the team record for most consecutive appearances on the ballot, as this year marks his fourth straight selection as part of the fan voting festivities. Overall, this is Lecavalier's fifth appointment on the ballot after being previously named to the team in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009. He is currently tied for third on the Lightning with nine points.
The 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover will take place Saturday, January 29 and Sunday, January 30, and will also include Honda NHL SuperSkills. Live television coverage of both nights will be provided by VERSUS in the United States and CBC and RDS in Canada. The Honda NHL SuperSkills will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, and the 2011 NHL All-Star Game will start at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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