John Scott will remain All-Star captain as NHL makes it right
After a weekend where tons of digital ink was spilled over John Scott’s All-Star plight, the NHL announced on Tuesday that he will indeed be going to Nashville as Pacific Division captain.
From the NHL:
Scott, elected to the Pacific Division captaincy in fan voting while a member of the Arizona Coyotes, was traded Friday to the Montreal Canadiens of the Atlantic Division. The resultant change in division, and Scott’s subsequent assignment to the American Hockey League, created a unique circumstance that required review – the result of which was a determination to maintain the status quo for the All-Star weekend in order to preserve all parties’ pre-existing expectations, including Scott’s desire to participate.
“I am looking forward to enjoying a fun and unique experience at All-Star Weekend in Nashville with my family,” said Scott. “While being voted to the All-Star Game by the fans was not something I expected to happen, I am excited to participate in the All-Star events with my fellow players.”
(As of now, the Arizona Coyotes will not have a representative at the game.)
The NHL did the right thing here by honoring the fan vote that we played a role in despite Scott now being an AHL player for the Canadiens. His presence in Nashville might even bring some more eyes to television screens for the Skills Competition and the 3-on-3 tournament just out of curiosity.
“It’s one of those things where I never thought I’d be able to get to go, so when I found out it was a possibility my family was like, ‘you have to go. It’s going to be so cool,’” Scott told Puck Daddy earlier this month. “They’re excited for it – probably more excited than I am. It’ll be one of those ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experiences.”
Whatever happens next weekend, Scott, with his engaging and funny personality, will be the prince of Music City by the time All-Star Weekend is over. Plus, his wife is expecting twins soon, and while he doesn’t have a bonus clause written into his contract for being voted in, if he can help the Pacific Division win the tournament that’s a sweet $90,000 in his pocket when he heads back to St. John’s.
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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