Potential rookie all-stars
1. LeAndre St. Pierre (TOR)
Clearly the top favorite for rookie of the year, “LSP” seems to be in a prime position to attend the all-star game as well. A small, quick winger from France, LeAndre has successfully made the transition from junior hockey, to the VHLM system, to the VHL itself in just over three seasons. It has been quite a ride for the 19 year old, who is now in a position to make the all-star game as a rookie. Leading all rookies in points and goals, LeAndre has taken the VHL by storm with a fast start to his career and an overall solid performance on the offensive end. He could be the only rookie to make the mid-season classic, but we think a few others have a shot as well.
2. Joel Jarvi (COL)
Jarvi is another player who has stood out in the first half of his first season in the bigs, leading all rookies in assists and blocking 105 shots through 53 games thus far. Clearly the only rookie defenseman that has a shot, Jarvi is also performing at a high level despite not having added to his checking attribute at all. The only thing that might be holding Jarvi back from an all-star bid is his low goal total of just 9. His above average defense is likely to get him a long, hard look as a first year all-star.
3. Pete Stockton (TOR)
Another scorer from Toronto, Stockton has also been highly successful in his first season with the Legion, recording 20 goals and 24 assists in 54 games thus far. He is a solid young forward who might not have the numbers to make the all-star game this season, but will definitely have a lot of chances in the future. The one stat that the committee will give a hard look at is his shot percentage, which is actually higher than LeAndre St. Pierre’s by almost half a percent. He has been an efficient offensive player and will continue that down the stretch regardless of what happens with the all-star game.
4. Niels Skovgaard (SEA)
The only player on this list coming from a winning team, Skovgaard could use that team success as his argument for an all-star selection. He has numbers similar to those of Pete Stockton, except has an extremely high shot percentage of almost 14 percent (compared to 8.66 for Stockton and 8.21 for St. Pierre). I question whether that is his teammates setting him up or Skovgaard making it happen, but regaardless (pun intended) it is impressive. Most of his damage has been done on the power play, scoring 10 of his 23 goals on the man advantage thus far. Skovgaard could be the dark horse selection for rookie of the year if he continues his efficient level of offensive play in the second half.
.png.ed69a7260a477fcf4feead7a0e4b7506.png)
