Boyle has never played in an NHL All-Star Game.
"I spoke with my wife about it, my dad. So it's pretty cool," he said. "I know a lot of stars kind of had to move around. I found out this morning, and it'll be fun to go back to Tampa and see all those great players on the ice."
Boyle played for the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2014-17. He helped them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2015 and the Eastern Conference Final in 2016.
"Good for him for everything that kid's gone through," said Lightning coach Jon Cooper, who will coach the Atlantic Division. "For him to get that opportunity, whenever they announce his name, that place will be rocking in Tampa. He was a popular guy down there."
All-Star Weekend begins with the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVA Sports). The 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game is at Amalie Arena on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, SN, TVA Sports).
"I don't really know what to expect, but it's cool of them to think of me," Boyle said. "I'm not naive to the fact that there's a lot more skill there than what I can bring, but I'm going to enjoy every minute of it."
Hall missed his third consecutive game Thursday because of a hand injury. The 26-year-old has 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) in 43 games. It would have been his third all-star appearance.
