Hockey

Oilers forward Draisaitl voted in all-star game, Leafs' Rielly left off

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl was among the last additions for the upcoming NHL all-star game, while Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly was one of a few high-profile players to be left out.

Forwards Jeff Skinner, Gabriel Landeskog also added

Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, left, beat out Flames defenceman Mark Giordano to get the Pacific slot. (Jason Franson/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl was among the last additions for the upcoming NHL all-star game, while Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly was one of a few high-profile players to be left out.

The NHL released the final four additions to the all-star weekend Friday. Draisaitl (Pacific), Buffalo Sabres left wing Jeff Skinner (Atlantic), Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (Central) and Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Kris Letang (Metropolitan) will join their division-based teams at the weekend event in San Jose, Calif.

Each team left a spot open on its roster to be filled in by a fan vote.

Draisaitl, the linemate of Oilers leader and Pacific all-star captain Connor McDavid, is tied for 10th in NHL scoring with 54 points (23 goals, 31 assists). The German forward beat out Norris Trophy candidate Mark Giordano of Calgary to get the Pacific slot

In what could be seen as an upset given the size of Toronto's fan base, Skinner beat out players including Rielly get the last spot on the Atlantic team.

WATCH | Leon Draisaitl scores OT winner in Ken Hitchcock's debut:

Game Wrap: Ken Hitchcock earns OT win in 1st game as Oilers coach

6 years ago
Duration 2:09
Edmonton edges San Jose 4-3 in overtime, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl 3 points each.

In what could be seen as an upset given the size of Toronto's fan base, Skinner beat out players including Rielly get the last spot on the Atlantic team.

Rielly is second in scoring among defencemen with 46 points (13 goals, 33 assists). The Maple Leafs made a push to get him into the all-star game by releasing a series of videos on social media.

"I appreciate all the votes and all the people at home, and especially my teammates campaigning," Rielly said Friday, before adding with a grin: "I'm happy that's over. We don't have to watch the video's anymore, but I appreciate it nonetheless."

Of course, more than half the voters were surprised to see Rielly get frozen out of the game in the Hockey Night in Canada Twitter poll.

Skinner, who will be making his second all-star appearance, is having an excellent season in Buffalo with 29 goals and 13 assists in 43 games.

Landeskog, who like Draisaitl will be making his all-star debut, has 27 goals and 24 assists in 44 games, while Letang, who is an all-star for the fifth time, has 10 goals and 27 assists in 41 games.

The NHL said in a release that more than 11.5-million votes were cast over a seven day period to determine the final four all-star participants.

With files from CBC Sports