When the season started, I wasn't thinking about being selected to the All-Star Game. I just thought about coming into this season with a new team, playing my best, getting off to a good start and really trying to jell off the ice because I know that translates on it.
I got to know the guys right away; they made it super easy for me. I'm surrounded by so many unbelievable players in Florida and I'm just super lucky to play with them. I credit all my success to my teammates, but it is cool being in this All-Star Game and being here with my brother. All of our family is here and so are our friends, so that part is really cool.
It's been busy this week and pretty hectic. There's a lot of stuff I've got to take care of and a lot of stuff that I'm doing here. It's been really cool being surrounded by so many great players from around the NHL. These are really fun events. Some people might not be crazy fans of it, but I really enjoy it.
The fan fest was awesome and not what I was expecting at all. It was very, very cool to see so many fans, so many Panthers fans, so many fans from other cities. I remember going to fan fests at a couple of other All-Star Games where they had good crowds. Now it's Florida, so everyone is going to come out. The weather made it awesome and amazing and there were tons of people there.
It's been a long day today with Media Day, but it's good. It's pretty cool to be surrounded by all the other top guys from throughout the League. That's the cool part, and it was special to be at a podium next to my brother, Brady. I've always enjoyed watching his success throughout his career, but seeing how much success he's having now doesn't surprise me. I'm super proud of him and I know he's super proud of me and that we're able to do this together is unreal.
In the skills competition Friday, I'm doing the breakaway challenge. I have some thoughts about what I'm going to do. It's pretty much planned out already. I'm going to try to bring a little Florida vibe to it. Hopefully, it turns out well.
I wouldn't consider myself a great breakaway guy, but this is more about the props; there are going to be more props involved than actual skill. I need some help with some props from a couple of the guys, so hopefully they follow through with it and do a good job. Hopefully it works out. I'm looking forward to it. It'll be a great time.
