Wheeler, Hellebuyck honoured to be named All Stars

At 31 and a first-time All Star, Wheeler is having a career year, scoring 14 goals and 52 points in only 44 games so far.
"Ever since coming here I've been given a great opportunity," he said. "I play a lot of minutes and play with really good players. I give as much of that credit [to the organization and my teammates] rather than giving credit to myself. There are a lot of players out there that don't get quite that same opportunity to play as many minutes or don't play with as good of players, and that makes it challenging. I'm in a great spot. I've worked on my game a lot to get better every year and where that stacks up in the league, that's not for me to debate. I've been blessed to have a coach like Paul Maurice push me. I've learned a lot from him and I think my game has gotten better every year having a guy like him behind the bench."
Hellebuyck, meanwhile, is also a first-time attendee and with 23 wins on the year, is closing in on a career high (26) with still 38 games to play this season.
"You know, it's awesome," said Hellebuyck. "It's a big accomplishment in my life. Me and my family will enjoy it and I think Wheels will enjoy it as well."

Both players were complimentary of one another being selected as All-Stars, knowing full well that this honour would not be possible without the team having success this season as the Central Division leaders.
Even heading into this season, the Jets captain said no one had given up on Hellebuyck after a difficult 2016-17 campaign.
"I think everyone was really excited to see what he was going to do this year," he said of his goaltender. "He's taken the ball and run with it. He's had just an incredible year. We're not where we are right now without him."

"If I could vote, I definitely would have voted for him," Hellebuyck said when asked about Wheeler's selection. "He's leading this team in the right direction. He leads by example every single day, he's exactly what we want to become, and he's exactly what this teams needs to strive towards."
The All-Star Skills Competition is reportedly going to be different in Tampa than it has been in past years. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that one of the changes will be to the accuracy competition, where a fifth target (five hole) will be added and instead of the shooters choosing where to go, a light will go off telling the player where to shoot.

Wheeler was adamant the 3-on-3 portion of All-Star weekend will be what he will enjoy the most, and he gave a solid reason why:
"Not the skills competition; that's the part I'm looking forward to the least," he said in jest. "Hopefully they hide me a little bit. I don't want to be in any foot races with Connor McDavid.
"It's all for the fans, and I think the whole event is fun to be a part of."
As tough as trying to beat McDavid in a foot race would be for anyone, it's clear from anyone's perspective who has watched All-Star games in recent years that the weekend favours the skaters over the goaltenders
"The skills portion is probably a lot of autograph signing and making sure the fans are happy," Hellebuyck said when asked what part of the weekend he was looking forward to the most.
"I think the 3-on-3 will be fun. Like I said, I'm going to try to make a big glove save and hopefully get someone to cheer my name."
-- Jamie Thomas, WinnipegJets.com