Hockey Democracy: Vote Early, Vote Often

Fan voting for the NHL All Star game is now open, a process not unlike the election of a high school student council.

Despite the respectable veneer of democracy, everyone knows it's a hysterical popularity contest with nothing at stake.

Why would anyone care who plays in the silly All Star Game? Working yourself into a huff when fans elect the "wrong" players is a sure sign that your sense of humor needs recalibrating.

That's why the infamous "Vote for Rory!" campaign was such a hit a couple of years ago. Aside from a few prigs (like Wayne Gretzky), everyone relished seeing the lofty All Star pretensions skewered.

No signs of a similar campaign this year. (In case you're wondering, Rory currently toils in the AHL.)

But if it bugs you to see Montreal Canadiens' fans stuffing the ballot box, you can do some stuffing of your own at NHL.com (after providing the required personal info and setting up an account, of course).

Photo: Mario Lemieux at the 1996 NHL All Star Game. (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)