Photo Illustration by Ann White, Photography by Keith Gillett, Tim Spyers/Icon Sportswire via AP Images
Most hockey players dream of skating as an All-Star from the time they start playing pee-wee. For players from the host city, this exhibition is a chance to revel in the honor, have fun, represent their team, and challenge themselves against the game’s best. But for players from the host city, it’s also a chance to showcase their home market to the hockey world and possibly inspire the next generation of skaters coming out of St. Louis. Just ask former Blues All-Stars Ryan O’Reilly and Brayden Schenn. (This year’s lineup wasn’t available at press time.)
What’s your favorite All-Star memory?
O’Reilly: For me, it was pretty cool to see that All-Star jersey. You always dream of it happening, and when it does, it’s pretty darn incredible.
Schenn: It’s cool having your family and friends there. You grow up watching the All-Star Game, seeing the best players in the game. Funny how it comes full circle.
What does having this game in St. Louis mean?
Schenn: I think it’s great for the city. I think when you come in as a road team, you don’t really get to see parts of the city. You go to the city, you go to the rink, and that’s it. Here’s a chance to show what St. Louis is all about. I think the city has a lot more to offer than people think.
O’Reilly: It’s going to really show the world how much of a hockey market this is and how passionate [St. Louisans] are about the game. It’s a great opportunity to get the elite of the elite from other teams here to know a little more about the city.
How do you think seeing this game might impact young fans?
O’Reilly: It should be inspiring. [St. Louis is] a great hockey town, and for those kids to see those players, it’ll inspire them. The three-on-three games are exciting to watch and the skills competition and all the fantastic tricks and stuff that goes on with it.
Schenn: St. Louis is great with minor hockey right now. There are a ton of kids making names for themselves and putting St. Louis on the map. You see it in the NHL. The Tkachuks [Matthew and Brady] and [Clayton] Keller. It’s a chance for that 14-year-old to go out there and get a guy’s autograph and see him in the skills competition or in the game. It’s cool being a kid that into hockey, getting to see the greatest in the game.
