The evolution of the NHL all-star game format

The NHL all-star game during the 1990s experienced a significant number of format changes for the decade. The roots of the 1990s start in 1981-82, when the NHL realigned based on geography, opening the Wales Conference versus Campbell Conference format. In 1987 the format was abandoned for one year with the NHL instead hosting Rendez-Vous ‘87, a two game exhibition pitting a single NHL all-star team against a Soviet all-star team.

Following Rendez Vous ‘87, the Wales versus Campbell format returned until the 1993-94 season. With the NHL undergoing another geographic re-aligned, and the renaming of the conferences into the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, the all-star game naturally followed suit. The mid-season spectacular would be cancelled in 1995 due to the lockout that ultimately shortened the 1994-95 season to 48 games.

The 1998 all-star game brought the first major change in all-star game format since the 1960s. In the spirit of Rendez Vous '87, the game pitted North America’s best players against the World’s best. This format was maintained for five seasons, with the North American squad winning three games to the World squad’s two victories. 2003 saw the NHL re-adopted the East versus West format.

Since the early 2000s there have been other cancelled games (2005 for another lockout, 2006, 2010, 2014 for the Olympic break), teams chosen by pre-selected captains in a weird combination of fantasy draft/school yard pick ‘em, and the current tournament format between four divisional teams playing three-on-three hockey. Given this blog is about the 1990s, the original 1990s East versus West is my preferred format - what's yours?

619 - Owen Nolan

Nolan appeared in five all-star games, recording four goals and five points. His most memorable appearance came in 1997 as a member of the San Jose Sharks. Playing in front of a home crowd, Nolan scored a hat trick, notching his first two goals in eight seconds. The third goal was the most impressive, pointing to the top right corner before snapping a shot past Dominik Hasek. 

620 - Mark Messier

Messier played in 15 all-star games, tied for fourth all-time with Frank Mahovlich. In those 15 games, he scored 6 goals and 19 points, also good for fourth all-time in points. Messier twice won the accuracy shooting competition (1991 and 1996), and, perhaps fittingly, earned four penalty minutes in a game where it is very hard to accumulate penalties.

621 - Wayne Gretzky

Gretzky is an 18 time all-star, sitting third behind Gordie Howe and Ray Bourque, having played in every game possible during his career. Selected as a starter nine times, Gretzky scored 13 goals (tied for first with Mario Lemieux) and 25 points (first overall, two points ahead of Lemieux). Gretzky is also tied with Lemieux as the only three time MVP, earning the award in 1983, 1989 and 1999. In 1983 the Great One scored four third period goals as the Campbell Conference pulled away with a 9-3 victory. 

622 - Brett Hull

The Golden Brett played in seven all-star games, six times as a starter. Despite being one of the deadliest goal scorers of all time, he has more assists (eight) than goals (three) in his all-star career. Hull also earned the MVP award at the 1992 game, scoring two goals (including the game winner) and three points.

623 - Luc Robitaille

Robitaille played in eight all-star games, earning a spot in the starting lineup five times. The highest scoring left winger of the 1980s and 1990s (and second all-time behind Alex Ovechkin), Lucky Luc scored eight goals and 14 points in his all-star game career. 

624 - Phil Housley

Housley played in seven all-star games, recording as many assists (four) as penalty minutes (four). This is very surprising given Housley is one of the top offensive defencemen of the 1980s and 1990s, is the all-time points leader for American born defencemen and sits fourth in all-time defenceman scoring.

625 - Ed Belfour

Eddie the Eagle played in five all-star games, appearing three times as a starter.

626 - Steve Yzerman

Yzerman played in nine all-star games, appearing only twice as a starter. Behind a glut of superstar centres during his career, Yzerman scored only two goals and six points during his all-star game career.

627 - Adam Oates

The premier playmaker of the late 1980s and 1990s, Adam Oates played in five all-star games, making one appearance as a starter. He made the most of his five appearances, recording one goal and 12 assists, averaging over two points per game.