All Star Game

Definition: An exhibiton game held at the midway point of the NHL season, usually in late January or early February. It's a relaxed, high-scoring affair, not taken seriously by the players or anyone else. The All Star Game has used several formats over the years, including the Stanley Cup champions versus the rest of the NHL, and North American players versus European players. The current format, adopted in 2011, involves a "fantasy draft." Two captain are appointed, who then select their rosters form the pool of invited all-star players. Six all-stars (one at each position) are chosen by fan balloting, with the remaining players named by a panel of NHL general managers. It is one of two ways in which an NHL player can qualify as an All Star.