James Neal embraces Nashville's country attitude during All-Star weekend

NASHVILLE – At the NHL All-Star Game, James Neal sat at a press conference podium in Bridgestone Arena after the Central Division lost 9-6 to the Pacific Division as somewhat of an outsider.

Next to him were three homegrown Nashville Predators players, taking part in the first local NHL All-Star Game in Nashville history. The Predators traded for Neal in the summer of 2014, so he hasn’t seen the rise of the organization from nearly being sold and moved to holding the league’s signature mid-season event.

But he embraced everything about the weekend. From the breakaway challenge when he brought out country star Dierks Bentley, to the game itself where he scored two goals.

In some ways Neal had the best weekend amongst the Predators, and he was thankful for the opportunity in his third All-Star game.

“It was very special. The whole weekend, being here, the events surrounding this weekend, and all of the hard work everyone put in to it, to be part of it and see how it turned out was awesome,” Neal said. “Like you said, everything on the rink was awesome. It’s been a great weekend for hockey in Nashville, and I think everyone can see that.”

Neal scored just 26 seconds into the Central Division’s loss on a wrist shot past Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick. Central Division coach Lindy Ruff started Neal, Shea Weber, Roman Josi and goaltender Pekka Rinne to give the Nashville fans in the announced crowd of 17,139 something to cheer about, and Neal got them roaring quickly.

Neal added an assist. Josi scored a goal and Weber notched two assists. Rinne stopped five of eight Pacific Division shots on goal.

Neal was planning a vacation in picturesque Banff, Alberta but had to cancel the trip when Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews pulled out due to illness. Neal said he found out after Nashville's Jan. 26 game against the Vancouver Canucks. The decision meant the game lost Toews’ star power, but it was good for Neal, and helped him further cement himself in Nashville with the Predators’ fans.

The team is known for developing players their supporters latch onto at a young age and watch grow. The 28-year-old Neal, who once scored 40 goals, was a different type of player for the team. He was considered a goal scorer with a physical, bordering dirty, edge. Last season Neal scored 23 goals in 67 games played. He leads the Predators with 18 goals and 12 assists this season.

“Right from day one in being traded to Nashville, I’ve been getting texts from all these guys and them welcoming me into the Predators family has been awesome right from day one,” Neal said. “They are all great guys, I couldn’t be happier to be named to the All Star Game, especially here in Nashville. I found out after the Vancouver game and I was really excited to have my family come down and be a part of it. It’s been an unbelievable weekend and it was a ton of fun.”

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper