Does All-Star Weekend Matter?

[Nyx 68]

Being an All-Star is not easy work - it calls for intense dedication, and long hours of practice, it requires a work ethic like none other; to be named a professional athlete is no easy task. To go above and beyond and be named an All-Star is even more difficult. You have to do what no one else is willing to do, you have to outwork all of your peers and then some, and you have to consistently be the best person you know at your sport, to be better than anyone you might run into while practicing your game. It's easy for manys league that do not have the system in place to wonder 'Does All-Star Weekend Even Matter?'

 

This begs the question -- what is All-Star Weekend?

 

All-Star Weekend is an opportunity for players to take time off from playing hockey at the insanely high level that they do. It provides them with an opportunity to play with the world's greatest skaters and shoot around almost as if they were children again, messing around and shooting the puck at their local rink. While competitiveness is still high, there's no added pressure to be the greatest, which will often lead to more interesting and entertaining games as more flashy plays can be had without consequences. After all, it's an exhibition game - winning or losing means nothing more than that. It has no negative effects on team records, player statistics, standings, or anything of the sort. First and foremost, it's an event of fun and excitement that provides entertainment for those willing to dish out lots of money to see the best of the best altogether on the ice.

 

With that in mind, does All-Star Weekend matter? I would argue that it does - most sports leagues around the world today use fan voting to help teams, coaches, and the league as a whole select player to represent these events. Involving the fans in that vote leads to higher involvement, and the teams with the best, largest, and most active fan bases will seemingly almost always have a player be named an All-Star. This is due in part to the efforts of the players, as well as the fans backing them and providing their support for the team.

 

The All-Star Game is a showcase of talent, it attempts to assemble the world's greatest ice hockey team regardless of differences in nationality, language, and any different factors - it looks past all of that and looks to promote teamwork and provide an amazing game. Hockey is a sport that breaks through the language barrier, with tons and tons of people who enjoy and support the sport worldwide. The same can be said about its players, and through hockey, or any major organized sports really, I think the All-Star game can do a great job of promoting diversity. When it all comes down to it, it's about putting the best players on the ice -- whether those players hail from Canada, Kazakhstan, or be it Brunei, the All-Star Game is a chance to put aside all of your differences and play to the best of your abilities. It's a chance to put on your best performance for all of the fans.

 

I think All-Star Weekend is important, and a staple of any sports league. It recognizes the hard work of those who have devoted their lives to their sport, and it allows for a pick-me-up for incredible players in unfortunate team situations. It's the end-all-be-all that signifies you are one of the best players in the world - you're being recognized for all the long hours after school spent practicing your craft, all the early morning practices, or your first time on the ice when you realized that this was what you wanted to do - regardless of the moments that it may bring to mind for you, it will bring moments to mind. In that moment, when you're reflecting on everything you've done to make it this far, all the hard work, through the trials and tribulations, you'll know that it was all worth it the moment you see your name on that flashy billboard, or on that post on social media, or maybe through a flurry of notifications as your phone buzzes non-stop.

 

You'll know it was worth it when you're named an All-Star.