The NHL All-Star Weekend is all about fun and features an exhibition ice hockey game and unique skills competitions showing off the phenomenal talents of National Hockey League (NHL) players. With many of the league's star players playing against each other, the game's proceeds benefit the pension fund of the players. Since 2015, the event takes the form of a mini-tournament with several teams pitted against each other. This year, the event was held from 4-5 February 2022 at the T-Mobile Arena in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas.
After the NHL asked players to miss out on the Winter Olympics in Beijing due to the rearrangement of almost 100 Coronavirus-affected fixtures, the players could take All-Star Weekend as an opportunity to enjoy some mid-season respite and a little comic relief. The Metropolitan Division and Central Division both progressed to the final by beating the Pacific Division and Atlantic Division respectively. Metropolitan then went on to defeat Central 5-3 with captain Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers named All-Star MVP after scoring twice.
Speaking of legendary institutions, Boston’s iconic Fenway Park has been announced as host of next year’s NHL Winter Classic. The emblematic baseball stadium is one of sport’s greatest venues and last held the Winter Classic in 2010 when the hosts defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime. Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox will once more make way for the Boston Bruins in 2023. A date for this Winter Classic - usually played on New Year’s Day – is yet to be announced, as is the Bruins’ opponent.
The NHL also announced hosts for 2023’s other big events. The All-Star Weekend will head to South Florida on 3-4 February while the Stadium Series will take place in Raleigh, North Carolina with the Hurricanes hosting a team yet to be decided.
There is still plenty to come in 2022. Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Nashville Predators in this year’s NHL Stadium Series at Nissan Stadium, Nashville on 26 February. Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton will host the Buffalo Sabres against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL Heritage Classic on 13 March. If you are looking to see your favourite players skating for their national side, the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Finland (13-29 May) will be the perfect opportunity. Tickets are already on sale for all these events!
Due to the amount of rescheduled regular season games, there’s still plenty of NHL action to come before the Stanley Cup playoffs. Don’t miss another puck-drop: check out all games here!
