Yandle a part of Team Alfredsson for NHL All-Star Game

For the second straight year, the NHL All-Star rosters
have been chosen via a schoolyard-style draft. And for
the second straight year, Phoenix Coyotes’ defenseman
Keith Yandle has endured the process.

Yandle was chosen by Daniel Alfredsson of the host Ottawa
Senators in the 11th round of the process, which lasted 18
rounds. The Coyotes’ blueliner was the 8th of 11
defenseman drafted overall.

Team Alfredsson will be faced by a team captained by
Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara this Sunday at Scotiabank
Place in Ottawa.

“The good thing about being a defenseman is you can’t be
picked last, unless you need a car, it’s not a good
thing,” Yandle told NHL.com,
making reference to the fact that the last player taken
overall gets a new automobile. “I knew I would be
somewhere in the late middle, so it was fun. I got to
spend a little extra time chatting with some guys that I
haven’t met backstage.”

Incidentally, San Jose’s Logan Couture was the last player
taken, and received a brand new Honda Crosstour.

Yandle was taken in the 12th round of last year’s All-Star
draft by Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings. Team
Lidstrom defeated a team led by Carolina’s Eric Staal, 11-
10.

This year, Yandle ranks 7th among NHL defensemen in points
with 29 and 10th in assists with 23.

The 59th NHL All-Star Game faces off from Ontario at 2:00
p.m. Phoenix time on Sunday.

Follow @Vincemarotta