Flyers Notes: Giroux, Timonen named to All-Star Game

UNIONDALE, N.Y. - As expected, center Claude Giroux and defenseman Kimmo Timonen were selected for the NHL All-Star Game, but the omission of winger Scott Hartnell was a surprise, especially to his teammates and coach Peter Laviolette.

In addition to Giroux and Timonen, Flyers forwards Matt Read and Sean Couturier were among 12 rookies chosen to compete in the weekend skills competition.

The All-Star Game will be held Jan. 29 at Ottawa. Last week, fan voting determined the first six players for the game. An additional 36 veterans and the dozen rookies were named Thursday.

This will be the second consecutive all-star appearance for Giroux, who turned 24 on Thursday and played junior hockey in Gatineau, across the river from Ottawa.

"I played my juniors just over the river, and I am pretty comfortable over there, and fans there are pretty passionate, too, and it's going to be a good week," Giroux said before Thursday's game against the New York Islanders.

It is the second time Timonen has earned a berth as a Flyer, and fourth overall. He also represented the Flyers in 2008 and was selected in 2004 and 2007 while playing for Nashville. Timonen, who will turn 37 in March, said he briefly considered not attending because of a sore wrist.

"I talked to my family and especially my son, who said no," Timonen said, "so I don't think I have any options."

Timonen was referring to his 12-year-old son, Samuel, the oldest of his three children.

Read, who entered Thursday tied for the NHL lead among rookies with 13 goals, was humble about his selection.

"I am kind of in shock," said Read, who found out in a text from Giroux. "It is obviously a dream come true just to be playing in the NHL, and to be selected as one of the rookies to show up at the All-Star Game is breathtaking and something I look forward to."

Couturier echoed those sentiments.

"It wasn't something I was thinking about, but it is really a great honor," he said.

It's still possible that Hartnell could be named if one of the selected players is injured. Hartnell entered Thursday with 18 goals, 19 assists, and a team-leading plus-19 rating.

"It was disappointing; I am not going to lie," Hartnell said. "With the season we are having now, near the top of the Eastern Conference, I thought I had an outside chance."