COLUMBUS, Ohio - Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche are not at the All-Star game.
The American contingent, however, is once again formidable.
After sometimes being almost an afterthought at the highest reaches of the sport, U.S.-born players are holding their own at one of the NHL's most high-profile events.
Crosby and Malkin, both of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are out of Sunday's game due to injuries. The Red Wings and Avalanche do not have a representative for the same reason.
But nine American-born players, two rookies and one coach are among the All-Stars — six years after there were only three players with a U.S. pedigree at the game.