What is the NHL All-Star Draft? Full Maple Leafs History

If you’re a fan of the All-Star Draft format, you’re in luck since the NHL has brought it back for the 2024 edition of the game. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, it’s extra special since Auston Matthews is captaining his own team alongside teammate Morgan Rielly. And alongside singer Justin Bieber, they will look to create the best All-Star team in the event.

There is a chance a few Maple Leafs players will join Matthews and Rielly in the game, as Mitch Marner and William Nylander are also taking part.

If you would like a refresher regarding the All-Star Draft plus a breakdown of which Maple Leafs players made the cut in the past, keep reading. This format in 2024 isn’t the same one we saw in 2015 or in the previous seasons the NHL held it. 

We will see four teams, not two, with Team MacKinnon, Team McDavid, and Team Hughes also joining the fun. Like Matthews and Rielly, each of the aforementioned teams will get a celebrity co-captain, with Tate McRae helping out Team MacKinnon, Will Arnett for Team McDavid, and Michael Buble joining Team Hughes.

Make sure you check out the draft and see which nine skaters and two goaltenders will join Matthews and Rielly tonight at 6:00 PM on ESPN 2, SN, and TVAS.  

History of Maple Leafs players during the All-Star Draft format

The 2011 game saw Phil Kessel participate in the game for Team Lidstrom. Kessel did not score a goal or an assist in the game, but he finished with a plus-1 in what was a narrow 11-10 win. In 2012, we saw Dion Phaneuf get the honor alongside Joffrey Lupul, and once again, Phil Kessel.

All three players found themselves on Team Chara, who defeated Team Alfredsson in that game 12-9. This time, Kessel put on a show, scoring three points, one goal, and a pair of assists, while Lopul pitched in with two goals. Phaneuf had a clean stat sheet in that game, except for posting the team-low minus-3 rating.

In 2015, Kessel again made the cut, this time playing for Team Foligno. As in 2011, Kessel made little impact in this game, logging a minus-4 in a 17-12 win for Team Toews.