For those of you that don't know probably the sport I am most passionate about is hockey. I've been a Boston Bruins fan for decades and the NHL is one of the few leagues where I don't care who is playing if it's on I am going to watch it. This year has been exceptional in the fact that it almost feels like there is a changing of the guard with so many young first second and third year players making noise from Dylan Larkin in Detroit to Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton and so many others in between. I can't remember another time that there was an NHL youth movement like this since 2005 with Sydney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and Patrice Bergeron.
I think one thing that has made this year even more exciting was the All-star game in which an 8 year journey man who is currently playing in the AHL on a minor league deal through the Montreal Canadians franchise was voted in by an internet vote to be the All-Star captain for the Western conference. I personally think this is great, I think this is what opening the vote to the fans is all about. For so many years all-star games in all sports have become more of a popularity contest then an actual interpretation of who's the best in the game at any given time. Then when you realize that every year there are deserving players who get left off the rosters because "every team needs to be represented", why are we making such a fuss about the fans voting in someone that normally would never be there.
John Scott has turned what started as a joke by an internet campaign into something I feel every NHL player should strive for. He, in one weekend, did something that the NHL and quite frankly all sports have been trying to do for years. He made this a must watch weekend and a feel good story and more importantly he made the all-star game matter. Why does it matter that he has played for 7 different franchises in his 8 year career. Why does it matter that he is considered more of an enforcer then a goal scorer. Why does it matter that he has more days of suspension (13) then career goals (5) or career points (11). John Scott will always be known as an all-star game MVP.
Not only is he an MVP but he earned that MVP by his play on the ice and his demeanor on and off the ice. Quite frankly I feel like this was the most entertaining all-star game I have seen in decades not only because of the 3 on 3 style which was fun with the open ice and fact that players actually felt like they were trying but also because it felt like the players were definitely out to enjoy themselves and put on a show for the fans. This was also history in the making and something I wish would continue going forward.
I say we keep the internet vote open and do it for all sports just the same way. I want to see back up offensive lineman, bench players, pinch hitters and fourth line enforcers in the all-star game every year. Lets face it the all-star game has been traditionally for the top talent and the elite players but what gets forgotten in the shuffle are the other very important players that contribute more to a teams success then they are ever given credit for.
Brian Scalbrine played for more teams then I can even remember and speaking to any of his teammates they will all say the same thing. He always had a great attitude who spent more time cheering for and pumping up his teammates then actually being on the court. Or Shawn Thornton who was a fourth line winger that would lead his team year after year in fighting majors which usually out numbered the amount of goals he scored but was able to give his team the energy boosts they needed at the right time. These type of players do just as much for the morality and togetherness of a team as the guy who is out there scoring 50 goals or the quarterback that throws 5,000 yards. These players should be honored and I for one would love to see then get there due in an all-star game.
I want to see this turn into a campaign. I want to see elite players campaigning for the teammate that they think deserves an all-star nod that we would never normally think of. I want to see players wearing shirts that say vote for Scal or Sydney Crosby in a post game interview wearing a hat that says vote for Macintyre.
I think this would be a great way to honor the players that do so many under the radar things.
John Scott opened up a great opportunity by not only accepting and playing in this all-star game, but by handling it with such amazing class and performing extremely well on the ice. Kudos to you John and congratulations on being what I hope is a pioneer for things to come.
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