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"PRODUCTION LINE" REUNITES IN '57
The 1957 All-Star Game played at the Montreal Forum featured a reunion of the famous Detroit Red Wings' "Production Line" of Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay and Alex Delvecchio. Lindsay had been traded to Chicago prior to the 1957-58 season and All-Stars' coach Milt Schmidt reunited the trio to play in the All-Star contest. "It's only fitting that they should play together in this game for two reasons," said Schmidt. "One is that they'll be more effective that way. The other is that they deserve to play together." The unit was limited to one point as Howe scored a power-play goal for the All-Stars in a 5-3 victory over the Canadiens.
FIRST MILLION DOLLAR OFFER AT '62 ALL-STAR
The sporting world was shocked during the 1962 All-Star Game festivities in Toronto as the Chicago Blackhawks offered the incredible sum of $1 million for the services of Maple Leafs' superstar left wing Frank Mahovlich. It was reported the Blackhawks had even produced the check, but the Maple Leafs had signed Mahovlich to a four-year contract prior to the game.
MIKITA, HULL AND HOWE BLANKED IN '67
In 1967, three of the NHL's top 10 all-time leading goal scorers were assembled on the same line. Stan Mikita, whose 541 goals ranks 20th all-time, centered a line which featured then all-time leading goal scorer, Gordie Howe (801 goals) on his right, and the NHL's 10th all-time leading goal scorer, Bobby Hull (610 goals) on his left. However, the trio was blanked by goalies Charlie Hodge and Gary Bauman, as Montreal shutout the All-Stars, 3-0. This marks the only shutout in the history of the All-Star Game.
1968 GAME DAMPENED BY TRAGEDY
There was little joy surrounding the 1968 All-Star Game in Toronto as center Bill Masterton of the Minnesota North Stars died on January 15 from head injuries sustained in a game against the Oakland Seals, January 13. Masterton died of severe brain damage caused by a fall to the ice and as a result, Brian Conacher of Toronto became the first player to appear in All-Star competition with a helmet.
HIGHLIGHT OF '71: HOWE PLAYS RECORD NUMBER OF GAMES
In the 1971 contest played at Boston, Gordie Howe of the Red Wings played in his 14th consecutive All-Star Game, eclipsing Maurice Richard's record of 13. Howe finished his career with 23 All-Star Game appearances.
CHICAGO DOMINATION SPARKS CONTROVERSY IN '72
In 1972, Minnesota North Stars' general manager Wren Blair made a proposal to the NHL's Board of Governors that would strip coaches of the responsibility of picking the remaining players for All-Star teams. Blair was upset that Chicago's head coach Billy Reay chose two Blackhawks (Keith Magnuson and Pit Martin) over Murray Oliver of the North Stars. The additions of Magnuson and Martin gave Chicago a record nine representatives (tied in 1986 by the Edmonton Oilers) on the West squad, but Blair's motion was not passed.
CAMPBELL'S SUCCESSOR SOUGHT IN '76
During the Board of Governors meeting in Philadelphia at the 1976 All-Star Game, a five-member committee was formed to choose a successor to Clarence S. Campbell, who was preparing to retire as President of the NHL.
LEMIEUX MAKES HIS MARK IN 1988
The 39th NHL All-Star classic in St. Louis saw the duo of Pittsburgh Penguins' center Mario Lemieux and Montreal Canadiens' winger Mats Naslund combine for five of the six Wales Conference goals. Lemieux set an All-Star record for most points with six (3-3-6), while Naslund set a record for most assists, with five. Both records remain unbeaten.
'89 HOMECOMING: GRETZKY'S RETURN
Wayne Gretzky returned to Edmonton's Northlands Coliseum in 1989 for his first All-Star Game as a Los Angeles King. He punctuated the appearance with a goal and two assists, winning his second All-Star MVP award, in a Campbell Conference 9-5 victory.
A WEEKEND OF "FIRSTS" IN 1992
For the first time, the responsibility to choose the non-starting members of the teams was transferred to a committee of General Managers in 1992. The breadth of NHL talent available was highlighted as 13 players made their All-Star debut. Seven of those first-timers also scored in the event. Also for the first time, not a single penalty was called and three goaltenders were employed for each team, with each goalie playing one period. Previously, two goaltenders had shared duties, switching halfway through the second period.
LARGEST COMEBACK IN 1998
The 1998 North America All-Stars overcame a 3-0 deficit to the World All-Stars, setting the stage for the largest comeback in All-Star Game history. Prior to the 1998 Game, no team had come back from a three-goal deficit to win.
BURE BROTHERS SHINE IN 2000
Brothers Pavel and Valeri Bure combined for six points (Pavel: 3-1-4; Valeri: 0-2-2) to lead the World All-Stars to its first All-Star Game victory, defeating North America 9-4 in the 2000 All-Star Game. Pavel recorded the 11th hat trick in All-Star history and was named the Game’s MVP. Valeri assisted on two of Pavel’s three goals to become the first brother combination since Maurice and Henri Richard to hook-up for an All-Star Game goal. The Richards combined in the 1957 and 1958 games.
2001: MARIO'S RETURN
The 2000-01 NHL season was highlighted by the return of Mario Lemieux. After three and a half years in retirement, Lemieux returned to NHL action and with it came a selection to his ninth NHL All-Star Game. Notching a goal and an assist for the North America All-Stars, Lemieux’s All-Star totals climbed to 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points. He trails only Wayne Gretzky for the All-Star Game’s all-time leading scoring title (13-12-25).
2001'S "ALL-AMERICAN" DOMINATION
Bill Guerin (Worcester, MA), Tony Amonte (Hingham, MA) and Doug Weight (Warren, MI) dominated the 2001 NHL All-Star Game, as the U.S.-born line figured in six of the North America All-Stars’ 14 goals, combining for 13 points (six goals, seven assists). In his All-Star Game debut, Guerin recorded a hat trick and added two assists, capturing MVP honors. The North America All-Stars defeated the World All-Stars 14-12, setting a new All-Star Game record for most goals scored by both teams in one game (26).
2003: FIVE POINTS, A SHOOTOUT GOAL AND A LOSS
Dany Heatley became the first player in NHL All-Star history to score four consecutive goals and captured the MVP award. He would go on to add an assist for the Eastern Conference All-Stars and then scored the East’s only shootout goal in a 6-5 loss in Florida.
2007: THE ALL-STAR GAME RENEWED
The 2007 NHL All-Star Game in Dallas was the League’s 55th, but was the first one played since February 8, 2004 in St. Paul, Minnesota. There was no game in 2005 because of a lockout and none in 2006 because of the break in the schedule required by the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
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