Ahead of the 2011 NHL All-Star Skills Competition tonight, the team captains have named the players who will compete in each challenge. Representing Team Staal, local players Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green will each compete in two challenges, as well as the Elimination Shootout that will feature all players on both teams.
Ovechkin will have the opportunity to defend his title as reigning champion of the Breakaway Challenge, a competition he has won every single time its been held (2008 and 2009). Ovechkin will also get the chance to compete alongside fellow Team Staal representative and defending champions Zdano Chara in the Hardest Shot competition.
Green will get his first shot at glory in the opening event, the Fastest Skater competition, and will also participate with Group Two in the Skills Challenge Relay, an event that involves one-timers, passing, puck control, stick-handling and accuracy shooting.