-Photo Credit Adam Hunger / USA TODAY Sports
For the first time since 2004, the Blues will have two members in the NHL All-Star game.
On Saturday, Vladamir Tarasenko and Kevin Shattenkirk were named to the roster that will participate in the game on Jan. 25.
Back in 2004, St. Louis’s Chris Pronger was selected for the game, and since that time, the Blues have not had a single defenseman selected. That all changed this year as 25-year-old Shattenkirk became the first Blues blueliner to make it to the NHL All-Star game.
Shattenkirk ranks first on the team among defenseman in goals (7), assists (29) and +/- (+18). Shattenkirk is into his fifth NHL season and currently tied for the most points among defenseman in the NHL. The New York native also has a league-lead 23 power play points including four goals.
Since joining the Blues after being traded from Colorado in the 2010-11 season, Shattenkirk has compile 33 goals, 131 assists and 164 points in 277 games played. Shattenkirk typically sees top minutes especially on the man advantage as he has tallied 23:03 minutes per game so far this season.
For Tarasenko, he tallied 22 goals, which ranks third in the NHL. Those 22 goals are through just 41 games played after the 23-year-old had 21 goals all of last season. Tarasenko currently leads all Blues players with 43 points in 41 games played and is tied for third in the NHL with a +21 rating.
The Russian winger has been terrific in the clutch for this Blues this season with two overtime goals and two game-deciding shootout goals so far this season.
Since making the jump the NHL roster, No. 91 has 51 goals, 54 assists for 105 points in 143 games. 51 of those goals have come on the power play helping the Blues to the top power play this season at 26.4 percent.
This selection marks the first All-Star selection for either player.
This All-Star game will be the first for the NHL in three seasons after it was cancelled due to the lockout in 2013 and the Olympics in 2014.
Teams will be selected Jan. 23 by two captains who will be announced next week.
