North America roster

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 22, 1999

TONY AMONTE
WING, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
AGE: 28.
BIRTHPLACE: Hingham, Mass.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-0; 195.
NHL SEASONS: Nine.
OTHER NHL TEAM: New York Rangers.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Two (1997-98).
WHY HE’S HERE: Amonte’s work is one of the few things going right in the calamity that is Chicago’s season, and his pace has this natural scorer well on his way to surpassing his career best of 41 goals.

ED BELFOUR
GOALIE, DALLAS STARS
AGE: 33.
BIRTHPLACE: Carman, Manitoba.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-11; 182.
NHL SEASONS: 11.
OTHER NHL TEAMS: Chicago, San Jose.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Four (1992-93, 1996, 1998).
WHY HE’S HERE: This former
winner of the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) and two-time Vezina winner (best goalie) is close to matching his career-best goals-against average of 1.88 from a season ago, and he is a big reason Stars coach Ken Hitchcock will be behind the North America bench.

ROB BLAKE
DEFENSEMAN, LOS ANGELES KINGS
AGE: 29.
BIRTHPLACE: Simcoe, Ontario.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4; 220.
NHL SEASONS: 10.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: One (1994).
WHY HE’S HERE: The hard-hitting offensive-minded defenseman missed almost half of the first half of the season because of injury, but when healthy, Blake has lived up to the form he displayed in winning the Norris Trophy (top defenseman) in 1997-98.

RAY BOURQUE*
DEFENSEMAN, BOSTON BRUINS
AGE: 38.
BIRTHPLACE: Montreal.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-11; 219.
NHL SEASONS: 20.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: 16 (1981-86, ’88-94, ’96-98).
WHY HE’S HERE: It just wouldn’t be the same without the
preeminent defenseman to grace NHL ice since Bobby Orr, especially when the five-time Norris winner is performing with as much grace and grit as when he was a teenager 20 years ago.

MARTIN BRODUER*
GOALIE, NEW JERSEY DEVILS
AGE: 26.
BIRTHPLACE: Montreal.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1; 205.
NHL SEASONS: Seven.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Three (1996-98).
STANLEY CUPS: One.
WHY HE’S HERE: Brodeur’s star power over the past couple of years got him the starting nod over perhaps more deserving candidates, such as Belfour. But even with a less-gaudy GAA than his sub-2.00 of seasons past, the former Calder winner is a bona fide All-Star.

WENDEL CLARK
WING, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
AGE: 32.
BIRTHPLACE: Kelvington, Saskatchewan.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-11; 194.
NHL SEASONS: 14.
OTHER NHL TEAMS: Toronto, Quebec, New York
Islanders.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: One (1986).
WHY HE’S HERE: Clark has overcome an injury-
riddled career to return to the All-Star Game 13 seasons after appearing in his first as a rookie. His scoring has proved to be a saving grace in an otherwise disgraceful season for the Lightning.

THEO FLEURY
WING, CALGARY FLAMES
AGE: 30.
BIRTHPLACE: Oxbow, Saskatchewan.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-6; 180.
NHL SEASONS: 11.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Five (1991-92, ’96-98).
STANLEY CUPS: One.
WHY HE’S HERE: The biggest prize of next off-season’s class of free agents continues to do what he does best — squeeze virtually every ounce of talent imaginable out of his tiny but tough frame.

WAYNE GRETZKY
CENTER, NEW YORK RANGERS
AGE: 37.
BIRTHPLACE: Brantford, Ontario.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-0; 185.
NHL SEASONS: 20.
OTHER NHL TEAMS: Edmonton, Los Angeles, St. Louis.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: 17 (1980-86, ’88-94, ’96-98).
STANLEY CUPS: Four.
WHY HE’S HERE: Duh.

CURTIS JOSEPH
GOALIE, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
AGE: 31.
BIRTHPLACE: Keswick, Ontario.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-10; 185.
NHL SEASONS: 10.
OTHER NHL TEAMS: St. Louis, Edmonton.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: One (1994).
WHY HE’S HERE: Felix who? CuJo, using his unorthodox style to make saves that amaze, is proving to be worth every penny the Leafs paid to pluck him out of the free-agent pool in the off-season.

PAUL KARIYA*
WING, MIGHTY DUCKS OF ANAHEIM
AGE: 24.
BIRTHPLACE: Vancouver.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-11; 180.
NHL SEASONS: Five.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Two (1996-97).
WHY HE’S HERE: Contract and post-concussion syndrome problems are season-old
history. This two-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy (most gentlemanly player) and winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top collegian in 1992-93 is back to his old ways as one of the league’s best scorers and skaters.

JOHN LeCLAIR
WING, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
AGE: 29.
BIRTHPLACE: St. Albans, Vt.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3; 226.
NHL SEASONS: Nine.
OTHER NHL TEAM: Montreal.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Three (1996-98).
STANLEY CUPS: One.
WHY HE’S HERE: Why he’s here as a reserve is beyond most any reasonable soul’s imagination. The Flyers’ best forward, with three straight 50-goal seasons to his credit and another seemingly on the way, unquestionably deserves to be a starter.

ERIC LINDROS
CENTER, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
AGE: 25.
BIRTHPLACE: London, Ontario.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4; 236.
NHL SEASONS: Seven.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Four (1994, ’96-98).
WHY HE’S HERE: Flyers GM Bobby Clarke challenged Lindros to lead this team to the promised land. Lindros, responding with a career year and 50-plus points before the All-Star break, is doing his part to put Philadelphia in position for a real run at the Cup.

AL MacINNIS*
DEFENSEMAN, ST. LOUIS BLUES
AGE: 35.
BIRTHPLACE: Inverness, Nova Scotia.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-2; 196.
NHL SEASONS: 18.
OTHER NHL TEAM: Calgary.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Nine (1985, ’88, ’90, ’91-92, ’94, ’96-98).
STANLEY CUPS: One.
WHY HE’S HERE: One need only watch Saturday’s skills competition to know why. This former Conn Smythe (playoff MVP) winner has a booming slap shot from the right point that is one of the league’s fastest, and he knows when (and when not) to use it.

MIKE MODANO
CENTER, DALLAS STARS
AGE: 28.
BIRTHPLACE: Livonia, Mich.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3; 200.
NHL SEASONS: 11.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Two (1993, ’98).
WHY HE’S HERE: Modano has steadily improved to the point he can be considered one of the game’s finest forwards. He continues to display not only offensive skill but also respectable two-way play.

LARRY MURPHY
DEFENSEMAN, DETROIT RED WINGS
AGE: 37.
BIRTHPLACE: Scarborough, Ontario.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-2; 210.
NHL SEASONS: 19.
OTHER NHL TEAMS: Los Angeles, Washington, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Toronto.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Two (1994, ’96).
STANLEY CUPS: Four.
WHY HE’S HERE: With a long and distinguished career — bet you didn’t know Murphy has more than 1,000 points — this adept and astute veteran lends the Wings much-valued experience on defense.

KEITH PRIMEAU
CENTER, CAROLINA HURRICANES
AGE: 27.
BIRTHPLACE: Toronto.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4; 210.
NHL SEASONS: Nine.
OTHER NHL TEAM: Detroit.
WHY HE’S HERE: This powerful package of size, strength and speed isn’t the most skilled forward in the NHL, but his up-and-coming presence in Carolina is helping the Hurricanes overcome the disappointing play of free-agent center Ron Francis.

CHRIS PRONGER
DEFENSEMAN, ST. LOUIS BLUES
AGE: 24.
BIRTHPLACE: Dryden, Ontario.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-5; 220.
NHL SEASONS: Six.
OTHER NHL TEAM: Hartford.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: None.
WHY HE’S HERE: With a long and lean frame, Pronger is becoming as comfortable in his end as he is lugging the puck and playing the point. With all the minutes he logs, he may be a Norris contender for seasons to come.

MARK RECCHI
WING, MONTREAL CANADIENS
AGE: 30.
BIRTHPLACE: Kamloops, British Columbia.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-10; 185.
NHL SEASONS: 11.
OTHER NHL TEAMS: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Five (1991, ’93-94, ’97-98).
STANLEY CUPS: One.
WHY HE’S HERE: He isn’t pouring in the goals and the Canadiens aren’t piling up points, but Recchi continues to be one of the stop offensive threats Montreal has to offer.

JEREMY ROENICK
CENTER, PHOENIX COYOTES
AGE: 29.
BIRTHPLACE: Boston.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-0; 192.
NHL SEASONS: 11.
OTHER NHL TEAM: Chicago.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Four (1991-94).
WHY HE’S HERE: Averaging more than a point per game, Roenick has overcome a couple of underachieving seasons to become one of the primary reasons the Coyotes continue to click.

BRENDAN SHANAHAN*
WING, DETROIT RED WINGS
AGE: 29 (turns 30 on Saturday).
BIRTHPLACE: Mimico, Ontario.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3; 218.
NHL SEASONS: 12.
OTHER NHL TEAMS: New Jersey, St. Louis, Hartford.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Four (1994, ’96-98).
STANLEY CUPS: Two.
WHY HE’S HERE: Shanahan won’t exactly skates
circles around anyone, but this power forward can score just about every way imaginable — wicked one-timer, quick-release slap shot, tip or rebound. But it’s hard to accept he’s a starter and LeClair is not because Shanahan is not playing like his usual self.

SCOTT STEVENS
DEFENSEMAN, NEW JERSEY DEVILS
AGE: 34.
BIRTHPLACE: Kitchener, Ontario.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1; 215.
NHL SEASONS: 17.
OTHER NHL TEAMS: Washington, St. Louis.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Nine (1985, ’89, ’91-94, ’96-98).
STANLEY CUPS: One.
WHY HE’S HERE: Though no longer the great offensive-minded defenseman he once was, this loyal captain has emerged over his career as a strong own-end player in the second half of the season.

DARRYL SYDOR
DEFENSEMAN, DALLAS STARS
AGE: 26.
BIRTHPLACE: Edmonton.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-0; 195.
NHL SEASONS: Eight.
OTHER NHL TEAM: Los Angeles.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: One (1998).
WHY HE’S HERE: The top-scoring defenseman in Dallas, Sydor has rediscovered his once-prevalent offensive edge on the power play and added improved defensive accountability to offer a rather complete package.

KEITH TKACHUK
WING, PHOENIX COYOTES
AGE: 26.
BIRTHPLACE: Melrose, Mass.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-2; 220.
NHL SEASONS: Eight.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Two (1997-98).
WHY HE’S HERE: With lots of goals, an impressive plus-minus and his always intimidating physical presence, this nasty former 50-goal, 200-penalty-minutes power forward continues to flourish.

STEVE YZERMAN*
CENTER, DETROIT RED WINGS
AGE: 33.
BIRTHPLACE: Cranbrook, British Columbia.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-11; 185.
NHL SEASONS: 16.
PREVIOUS ALL-STAR GAMES: Eight (1984, ’88-93, 1997).
STANLEY CUPS: Two.
WHY HE’S HERE: If averaging more than a point per game over his lengthy career isn’t enough reason, then the consistency and all-around package presented by this longtime captain of the Wings and 1998 Conn Smythe winner is.

* Voted a starter by fans. Roster as of Jan. 20