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Bolts' St. Louis Replaces Crosby At NHL All-Star Game

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Martin St. Louis has plenty to be charged up about, including making this year's NHL All-Star Game in his native Quebec.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2009

Updated: 01/23/2009 01:01 am

TAMPA - Lightning right wing Marty St. Louis is taking an unexpected trip home this weekend.

St. Louis was named Thursday as a replacement for Sidney Crosby, who withdrew for the second consecutive year because of injury, for the Eastern Conference team for Sunday's NHL All-Star Game in his native Montreal.

This will be the fifth consecutive All-Star Game for the native of Laval, Quebec, who leads Tampa Bay with 46 points and 29 assists.

When he learned the news shortly after arriving in New York, on his way to spend the weekend in Connecticut, St. Louis gave a high-five to his oldest son, Ryan.

"I'm excited," said St. Louis, who will be in Montreal on Saturday. "This is my fifth one, but sons Ryan and Lucas are at the age now where they understand what's going on now, and they had such a blast last year in Atlanta. This year, they were kind of bummed when I wasn't named."

St. Louis joins Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier, also a native of Montreal, as Tampa Bay's representatives for the game. The duo has participated in the past two All-Star Games together.

"We've gone through a lot together ... and this year has been a tough year. We came on strong here lately and gave ourselves a chance to be in this position," St. Louis said. "Obviously, Vinny was named, and to join him now is just great. It's always fun to be there with teammates."

Making his fifth appearance, St. Louis has the most All-Star experience on the Eastern Conference roster. In the 2005 game in Dallas, he became the first Lightning player to score a goal in an All-Star Game. In his four previous appearances, St. Louis has a goal and three points.

This time, however, it will carry a special meaning for him.

"To be in Montreal, with the Canadiens' 100th-year celebration and to be a part of that is special."

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

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