The 10 NHL stars you assumed were All-Stars but never actually were

The NHL All-Star Game is this weekend in Columbus, and thanks to changing dynamics in the League and some significant injuries, there are a number of players who are making their first appearances in the midseason classic.

They should embrace it. They should cherish it. Because not every big name player gets their shot to be an NHL All-Star.

Here are 10 players that you might assume had been NHL All-Stars but, alas, never were during their storied NHL careers. Please keep in mind we went with retired players or players that are near the end of their run; while there are some current players that have been snubbed mightily, they also still have a chance to make the cut.

These guys never did ...

Bob Essensa, G

NHL Games Played: 446

A good goalie on some bad Winnipeg Jets teams, Essensa didn’t get the same all-star chance that his fellow second-tier NHL netminders in that era (Darren Puppa, Arturs Irbe) received. Not even a pity pick. Sigh.

Kelly Hrudey, G

NHL Games Played: 677

How many standout players who spend over a decade playing in New York and Los Angeles fail to make the all-star cut at least once? Better yet: How can a player make the cut for Team Canada in the 1987 Canada Cup but fail to be an NHL All-Star? Nutty.

Chris Drury, F

NHL Games Played: 892

A consistent goal scorer, including two great years for the Buffalo Sabres from 2005-07. But he was overshadowed by bigger stars with the Colorado Avalanche, was screwed over by there not being an all-star game right after the 2005 lockout and, in 2007, the NHL picked his teammate Daniel Briere instead. Well, at least he got paid. A lot.

Brenden Morrow, F

NHL Games Played: 921, through Jan. 22

Look, Morrow is a spare part player at this point, so we’re comfortable in saying he’ll not have an all-star season in him. Which means he’ll retire having never been one despite some strong seasons with the Dallas Stars. His best one, 2007-08, saw his teammate Mike Ribeiro get the nod instead. Morrow did appear in the All-Star Young Stars Game in his rookie season, but never in the Big Game.

Petr Nedved, F

NHL Games Played: 982

This one was a surprise. One figured Nedved was the type of player the NHL craves for its spotlight on skill, but despite a 38-goal season in 1992-93, a 45-goal season in 1995-96 and some other strong campaigns, he never made it. His best season came in a year when Ron Francis, Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux all made the all-star team. So that’s understandable.

Ed Olczyk, F

NHL Games Played: 1,031

The NBC announcer broke 30 goals three times and 40 goals in 1987-88 for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Wales Conference all-star forwards that season? Well, check the list and you’ll see why he missed the cut.

Geoff Courtnall, F

NHL Games Played: 1,049

He had a few seasons of genuine offensive stardom, including 42- and 35-goal campaigns for the Washington Capitals in the late 1980s, as well as 31-goals seasons for the Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues. But never got his All-Star Game invite. Insult to injury: His brother, Russ, was a 1994 All-Star for the Western Conference while with the Dallas Stars.

Mike Ricci, F

NHL Games Played: 1,099

Perhaps best known as a one of the preeminent pests in hockey history, Ricci was also a pretty dependable offensive player, scoring over 20 goals in his first four seasons and then doing it twice more with the San Jose Sharks. But his best offensive season (78 points) happened on a team with some dudes named Sundin and Sakic.

Claude Lemieux, F

NHL Games Played: 1,215

Granted, most of Lemieux’s best exploits were in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but he hit 30 goals four times and netted 41 in 1991-92 for the New Jersey Devils. But Scott Stevens was enough for the NHL from the Devils, and Claude missed the cut. Four Stanley Cups, no all-star games … maybe they were just worried about locker room chemistry.

Guy Carbonneau, C

NHL Games Played: 1,318

Look, incredible defensive players aren’t exactly known for making the NHL All-Star Game, which is why we didn’t blink when we saw guys like Adam Foote having never made it. But he was one of the most popular players in Montreal Canadiens history, and a legit star in his day. So while we understand the dynamic – 3-time Selke winner, never an all-star – it was still a little surprising.