Indeed, one of the biggest things players said they enjoyed as first-time All-Stars was developing long-lasting friendships.
“I got close with a couple of guys through that, hanging out in the team lounge,” Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak said of his first appearance, in 2019. “(Oilers forward Leon) Draisaitl is my friend. We skated together a bunch of times in the summer, his dad is Czech, he coached in [Czechia], so it was nice to see him. We get to hang out in the season, which usually we never do.”
Others remember the winning, be it games or prizes. This year, 12 players will compete for a $1 million winner-take-all prize in the All-Star Skills.
Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg won a 2015 Honda Accord when he was one of the final two picks, with Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, in the 2015 NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft.
“I actually sold it off to a guy in Milwaukee who needed a new car, so it was a good deal,” Forsberg said.
The All-Star Game is usually a family affair. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, who went last year for the first time, said, “My biggest thrill was having my sons there with me. It was more of a personal moment to have them being around.”
Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart, who’s going for the first time this year, gets to follow in family footsteps.
“It’s something growing up where I knew my dad had been, so it was a dream of mine,” said Reinhart, whose father, defenseman Paul Reinhart, was a two-time All-Star (1985 with the Calgary Flames, 1989 with the Vancouver Canucks).
“I just want to enjoy the experience. I’m sure it’s changed over the years, but I’m expecting a couple of busy days. I’ll just try to soak it all in.”
It doesn’t matter how old you are when you make your first All-Star appearance. Johnny Gaudreau, who has been to seven All-Star seven games, said fellow Columbus Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner, 30, who’s going for the first time this year, will enjoy every minute.
“I got to go last year, and it was just as much fun as my first experience when I was here in Columbus (2015) and it doesn't really matter what city it is in,” Gaudreau said. “And obviously, it's his hometown (Jenner is from Dorchester, Ontario) so it will be a lot of fun for him there and a lot of good memories.
“For me as a first-timer as a rookie, it's more eye-opening seeing all the guys in the locker room. Boone’s been in the League for quite some time now, so he's been around these guys for a while now, so that's the only difference I really see.”
A whole lot of good times have been had at All-Star Weekend over the years. Those going for the first time are planning to having some, too.
“I look forward to chatting with goalies, kind of get to know some of them,” Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev said. “Get to see a couple guys that I got to play with, like (Anaheim Ducks forward Frank) Vatrano. I got to practice a bit with (Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher) Demko.
“It's going to be a great memory to look back on to my career, I feel, and say, ‘Yeah, I've been there and been a part of that event.’”
NHL.com staff writers Amalie Benjamin and Derek van Diest, and independent correspondents Taylor Baird, Ryan Boulding, Wes Crosby, Craig Merz and Robby Stanley contributed to this report