Dan Girardi may be the happiest man alive to be notified of an assignment to spend four winter days in Ottawa.
The 27-year-old Rangers defenseman appeared jubilant upon being named to play in the All-Star Game in Canada’s capital city on Jan. 29, with the match capping four days of league-sponsored festivities.
“It’s great to get the recognition,” Girardi said. “It’s a pretty big honor. I’m going to savor every minute of it.”
Girardi, making his first All Star appearance, will be joined in Ottawa by teammates Henrik Lundqvist and Marian Gaborik, both named for the third time.
“To be honest with you, I never thought I’d be in an All-Star Game,” said Girardi, who leads the NHL in ice time (27:18 per game) and is fourth in blocked shots (104, seven behind leader Josh Gorges). “It’s a highly-skilled, fast-paced game, so I’ll do my best out there.”
Although no Devils were selected, the Rangers won’t be the only local representatives among the 42 players taking part in the game: John Tavares, the Islanders’ leader with 40 points (15 goals, 25 assists) became the first member of his franchise to make the squad since Mark Streit in 2008-09.
“I just play the game the way you’re supposed to play it, I think, and if these things come along, it’s great,” Tavares said. “It’s a great honor. It’s something I looked up to as a kid.”
Although the Devils were shut out, two of their rookies, center Adam Henrique and defenseman Adam Larsson, will take part in the weekend’s festivities.
Rangers coach John Tortorella will be co-coach of one of the teams in the game, which features a fantasy-style draft to be held Jan. 27.