NEW YORK -- Mario Lemieux needed only nine games to prove he
is still an All-Star.
Lemieux, who ended his 3½-year retirement in December, was
picked Tuesday as a reserve for the NHL's North American All-Star
roster.
Lemieux, who is also the owner of the Penguins, has nine goals
and 10 assists. He will be making his ninth All-Star appearance.
Lemieux is a three-time All-Star MVP who holds the All-Star
record for points in a game with six (three goals, three assists).
Lemieux was the MVP in 1985, 1988 and 1990 and ranks second in
career All-Star Game in goals (11) and points (20).
Sean Burke of the Phoenix Coyotes and Martin Brodeur of the
Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils were also chosen for the
Feb. 4 game in Denver.
Burke has had a sensational first half with the Coyotes. Burke
is 15-10-9 with a 1.93 goals-against average.
Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche was announced as the
starting goaltender last weekend based on fan balloting.
Forwards Simon Gagne of the Philadelphia Flyers, Donald Audette
of the Atlanta Thrashers and Boston Bruins teammates Jason Allison
and Bill Guerin will be making their All-Star Game debuts.
Doug Weight of the Edmonton Oilers, Tony Amonte of the
Blackhawks, Brett Hull of the Dallas Stars and Luc Robitaille of
the Los Angeles Kings round out the forwards.
Theoren Fleury of the New York Rangers, Paul Kariya of the
Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Joe Sakic of the Avalanche were selected
as starters by the fans.
On defense, Rob Blake of the Kings, Brian Leetch of the Rangers,
Al MacInnis of the Blues and Scott Stevens of the Devils will join
starters Ray Bourque of Colorado and Chris Pronger of St. Louis on the North America squad.
The World team reserves will be announced Wednesday. The players
are chosen by the league's hockey operations department, in
consultation with general managers.
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