Thaindian News

By Meena Kar
Jan 29, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Phil Kessel probably had the day which he has been waiting for really long. The 23 year old hockey player from Toronto Maple Leafs, has been selected for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game fantasy draft. No wonder, considering his performance in the last few games and his consistent achievements, getting selected in the NHL All-Star was quite well deserved for the young hockey star.

Yesterday, Eric Staal and Nicklas Lidstrom decided their teams and Phil Kessel was selected by the latter. Nicklas Lidstrom said that he quite happy with his last pick. Phil Kessel will continue to play as a forward, while getting accompanied by Martin St. Louis, Patrick Kane, Steven Stamkos, Danny Briere, Jonathan Toews and Brad Richards in the same position. However, he was the last pick by the captain after Paul Stastny, to become the eighteenth and the last member of the team. However, apparently, Phil Kessel does not really mind being the last pick. He said that he is just having fun and wants play the game properly. He also added that as a child he never dreamed about being a part of NHL All-Star Game. To him, getting selected in the team itself is a huge achievement and a break in his career. Zdeno Chara, his friend said that it was a big deal to get selected in this team and on that note someone had to be first, while another had to be last.

However, for both the captains, Phil Kessel was reportedly not one of the options. Reports say that they had different opinion about World Juniors 2005 gold medalist. Infact they preferred Tyler Seguin to Phil Kessel, but the latter was supported by Brian Burke, the Toronto general manager.