The National Hockey League (NHL) set the table for its annual All-Star Game with a fantasy draft. Honoring a hockey tradition played out by children on rinks around the world, Ottawa Senators' Daniel Alfredsson and Boston Bruins' Zdeno Chara took turns selecting players from a pool of talent featuring many of the league's best forming the two teams that will meet in Sunday's mid-season showcase in Ottawa. The All-Star draft, however, went off without the NHL's two most popular players with Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby missing the event for the second consecutive year recovering from concussion-like symptoms. Washington Capitals' Russian sniper Alexander Ovechkin opted out after being handed a three-game suspension earlier in the week for an illegal hit. Detroit Red Wings Nicklas Lidstrom, who captained of one of the All-Star teams a year ago and Anaheim Ducks' hugely popular Finn Teemu Selanne also declined invitations. However, the evening still attracted plenty of attention with the draft carried live on television across Canada and the United States. Teams: Team Alfredsson: Goal: Henrik Lundqvist (NY Rangers), Jonathan Quick (LA Kings), Brian Elliott (St. Louis Blues) Defense: Erik Karlsson (Senators), Kris Letang (Penguins), Shea Weber (Predators), Dan Girardi (Rangers), Keith Yandle (Coyotes), Alex Edler (Canucks). Forwards: Captain Daniel Alfredsson (Senators), Jason Spezza (Senators), Claude Giroux (Flyers), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay), Daniel Sedin (Canucks), Milan Michalek (Senators), Henrik Sedin (Canucks), James Neal (Penguins), John Tavares (NY Islanders), Scott Hartnell (Flyers), Jason Pominville (Sabres), Logan Couture (Sharks). Team Chara: Goal: Tim Thomas (Bruins), Carey Price (Canadiens), Jimmy Howard (Red Wings) Defense: Zdeno Chara (Bruins) Kimmo Timonen (Flyers), Ryan Suter (Predators), Brian Campbell (Panthers), Dion Phaneuf (Maple Leafs), Dennis Wideman (Capitals). Forwards: Joffrey Lupul (Maple Leafs) Pavel Datsyuk (Red Wings), Evgeni Malkin (Penguins), Marian Hossa (Blackhawks), Phil Kessel (Maple Leafs), Corey Perry (Ducks), Patrick Kane (Blackhawks), Jarome Iginla (Flames), Marian Gaborik (Rangers), Jordan Eberle (Oilers), Tyler Seguin (Bruins), Jamie Benn (Stars).
