Three Minnesota Wild players named to 2012 All-Star Ballot

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The National Hockey League’s (NHL)Minnesota Wild today announced that forwards Dany Heatley and Mikko Koivu and defenseman Marek Zidlicky have been named to the 2012 NHL All-Star ballot that was released by the league today. Players appearing on the ballot were selected by the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department.

Heatley leads the Wild with 10 points (5-5=10) and 48 shots on goal in 14 games this season. He has previously been selected to play in the 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009 NHL All-Star Games. Heatley has tallied 699 points (330-369=699) in 683 career NHL games.

Koivu owns nine points (1-8=9) and a plus-5 rating in 14 contests this year. The team captain has collected 326 points (97-229=326) in 447 career matches.

Zidlicky leads all Wild defensemen in scoring with four assists in 14 matches this season. He owns 288 points (60-228=288) in 521 career contests.

Seven Minnesota Wild players have represented the team in past NHL All-Star Games.

Marian Gaborik became the first Wild player to participate in the contest in 2003. In 2004, Filip Kuba and Dwayne Roloson represented Minnesota at the NHL All-Star Game held at Xcel Energy Center. Brian Rolston appeared in the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. Gaborik made his second All-Star appearance in 2008. Niklas Backstrom made his first career NHL All-Star team in 2009. Brent Burns and Martin Havlat appeared in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game.

NHL ALL-STAR BALLOT NEWS RELEASE

Courtesy: Ryan Stanzel/Minnesota Wild