"We're going to have 42 All-Stars who are selected for the game and what we're going to do is reach out to them and they're going to select two captains," Shanahan said. "And on the Friday night before the game at 8 o'clock, we're going to have a live draft on Versus where those two captains will be sitting in a room with the other players in front of them. They're going to flip a coin (to see who drafts first). They'll be flanked by two (alternate) captains up on stage with them, so those six guys will have 36 players out in the audience to draft from."
It seems that 'Shanny's' approach and infusion of new ideas will make for an exciting set of events in Raleigh in late January. We can't wait to all be a part of it.
Note to Shanny
Here's a suggestion for a slightly more exciting team selection process:
Instead of sitting in a room, imagine the selected team captains standing at the center ice circle at the RBC Center with fans in attendance, and with a spotlight on all the 42 selected players' sticks, labeled with their names, piled up and ready to be selected 'shinny style'. Shanny is standing with the captains and flips the coin to determine who picks first. Winner throws the first stick towards his end, then the other does the same. The process continues until both teams are fully selected.
Music blaring, lights go on and practice takes place in front of a packed house at both ends. Game on. What a great Friday night event.
Just imagine it for a second.
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More details: NHL Wide Open
Carolina Hurricanes: All-Star Fan Fair
Carolina Hurricanes: All-Star 5 K Run
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