Facing Off With First Ever Seattle Kraken All-Star Jordan Eberle
In 2012, Jordan Eberle was a part of the challenge relay team skill on the All-Star Saturday Night. His group lost by a mere six seconds to Claude Giroux and Team Alfredsson. The two forwards met again to compete in a special made-for-Vegas challenge on Friday.
Jordan Eberle taking his shots at the @Discover NHL Fountain Face-Off!! #NHLAllStar
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🇨🇦: @sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/EuBswsMwTL pic.twitter.com/kCTsEFVCHV— NHL (@NHL) February 5, 2022
Showing the Skills
W: So how was the Fountain Faceoff skills event? Wish I could have been at the Bellagio to see it!
E: It was really cool. I mean, we’re in the middle of the Bellagio fountain and we took a boat out there. Really neat to do. Haha, but it was freezing cold. Like we’re shivering out there. That’s how cold it was. I didn’t expect Vegas to be that cold. But if we did it over again, I wish I had more urgency to go quicker.
They told us to take our time when we were shooting and I definitely did. We were the first couple guys to go, and (other players) watched us and went a little bit quicker. But all in all, it was awesome. A really cool experience and I’m glad I got to do that.
This year’s all-star weekend saw many omissions or snubs including Brad Marchand, Alex Ovechkin, Nate McKinnon, the Seattle Kraken mascot, Sydney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Adam Fox, and Eberle’s teammate Jared McCann. Since 1991 in the expansion era, only four players have been selected and scored for their new team. Jordan was held goal-less ten years ago, but came up with an ace of an equalizer Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.
Jordan Eberle scores the first goal by a #SEAKraken All-Star! pic.twitter.com/fkpw6ju7i7
— Emerald City Hockey (@EmeraldCityHky) February 5, 2022
The All-Star experience
W: Kind of a long stretch since the last one of these for you. Any thoughts or differences between this time and the last time for all-stars?
E: Well everything was different. I think I was 21 or 22 when I played in that one, I’m 31 now. The format back then was 5-on-5, there was a draft, everything’s different but I’ve enjoyed both of them. This one definitely means a lot more with my family here and being a dad now and get to share with them.
It was a pleasure to return to my second home for the NHL’s best after successful league awards shows helped pave the way here since 2009. Also, getting to meet up with the Seattle Kraken’s first-ever weekend selection is a moment I’ll always remember. Jordan Eberle is impressive on and off the ice. He continues to be an important player for the Kraken to have a strong second half in their first season. ⚓