OTTAWAZdeno Chara didnt let his Bruins teammates in on his All-Star Draft plan ahead of time, but the Bs captain had designs on getting both of them involved all along. He just never let them know before selecting Tim Thomas in the second round of the draft at the rowdy at the Hilton Lac Leamy, and eventually tapping Seguin in the 18th round of the proceedings.
Zee was very mysterious about the draft and hes not usually a very mysterious man towards me, said Seguin. I didnt know what to expect and I didnt know his game plan. I was wondering in the end. I was just as curious as all of you were.
"He had sent me some jabs over the last couple of weeks in front of the boys about getting picked last. In the end, though, Im just here to have a good time. It was a great experience no matter when Im picked.
Chara and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul managed all of the selections for Team Chara, and put together a formidable squad for Sundays exhibition while leaving former Ottawa teammate Daniel Alfredsson to corner the market on Senators players and Swedish All-Stars for Team Alfredsson. Chara selected Detroit Red Wings superstar Pavel Datsyuk with his first round choice, but followed that up with Thomas in the second round.
It was an enjoyable experience for Charawho was so locked into the planning and drafting that he forgot to shake hands with Montreal goaltender Carey Price after his team selected himgetting such a prominent role in the All-Star game process. Chara made certain to select fellow Slovaks Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik, and even found an opportunity to select former Bruins Phil Kessel and Dennis Wideman for his squad.
I think its an honor. Ive said that from the beginning. It will be a great event. Its fair enough to have the team guys together especially for Ottawa and their fans, said Chara. When you can have the home team players on the same team it makes it special for them. I didnt want to interfere with that, but then my goal was to choose my countrymen and my teammates for Team Chara.
The Bruins defenseman waited a little longer to tap 19-year-old Tyler Seguin, holding out until the 18th round when Seguin was one of the final four remaining All-Stars along with Jason Pominville, Logan Couture and Jamie Benn.
Chara appeared to feel a little guilty about making Seguin sweat it out a little bit, and he offered a want to hug it out? before wrapping his gargantuan arms around the second-year wunderkind.
Seguin had a few things running through his mind, but was pretty impressed Chara knows his Entourage quotes.
Does that make me Turtle? inquired a smiling Seguin. I needed a hug at that point plus hes a big teddy bear, so I jumped right on that.
With Chara jumping on the chance to select both of his teammates that means there is a chance for Tim Thomas tobe the winning goaltender in his fourth straight All-Star appearance should things go well for their squad on Sunday. All of that was made possible through Charas planeven if he didnt share it with his teammates headed into the event.