Golden Knights get another player into NHL All-Star Weekend

By Ben Gotz

Las Vegas Review-Journal

3 years ago

Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Ca ... — Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) skates for the puck while Canadiens defenseman David Savard (58) passes during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) shoots on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell (36) during the third period of an NHL game at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

T-Mobile Arena stands in Las Vegas before an NHL hockey game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Las Vegas. The arena is the site for this year’s NHL All-Star game. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Fans line up before an NHL hockey game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Buffalo Sabres at T-Moblie Arena Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Las Vegas. The arena is the site for this year’s NHL All-Star game. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was talking a couple of weeks ago about being named to the second home All-Star Game of his career when he offered a thought. One that involved him, fellow All-Star Mark Stone and “Last Men In” candidate Jonathan Marchessault.

“With me and (Stone) and hopefully (Marchessault), you could kind of get a full line of three-on-three,” Pietrangelo said. “That’d be fun to do that as a group.”

But it looked as if Pietrangelo wouldn’t get his wish when Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry won the voting for the final spot on the Pacific Division roster over Marchessault. But the dream was renewed Wednesday when Marchessault was named to the event for the first time.

With Knights coach Pete DeBoer behind the Pacific Division bench Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, Pietrangelo’s vision has a real chance of materializing.

“I think that (of) the players that were there, Terry was the guy that was having the best season,” Marchessault said two days after the voting ended Jan. 20. “It’s definitely an honor to be able to go to that game.”

Marchessault’s selection to Friday’s skills competition and the All-Star Game on Saturday is the latest step in a long journey he has taken after going undrafted.

The 5-foot-9-inch left wing had to fight for every opportunity. He spent parts of six seasons in the American Hockey League. Now, he’s a deserving All-Star selection.

Marchessault leads the Knights with 20 goals, eight more than any other player. He has his sixth 20-goal season locked up in 41 games. He also has more power-play goals (five) and shots (137) than anyone else on the team.

“He contributes all over the ice,” said right wing Reilly Smith, who has played on Marchessault’s line for five seasons. “He’s as passionate as they come, and he’s a huge face for this franchise. He’s been here since day one, puts his heart on his sleeve, playing every shift like it was his last. There’s not too many people who are more deserving than him.”

Marchessault’s inclusion gives the Knights more representatives at All-Star Weekend than any other team. Tampa Bay and Colorado each has three.

He was one of two players added to the event Wednesday, along with Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson. The Capitals said star Alex Ovechkin had to bow out of All-Star Weekend after testing positive for COVID-19.

Wilson was named as his replacement and will be making his first All-Star appearance. Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux will take over the Metropolitan Division captaincy from Ovechkin.

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.