Vegas’ Stephenson replaces Seattle’s Matty Beniers in NHL All-Star Game

SEATTLE — Vegas Golden Knights forward Chandler Stephenson has been named to the Pacific Division roster for the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend.

Stephenson replaces Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers, who is unable to attend due to injury.

Stephenson will make his first All-Star appearance. He leads the Golden Knights in assists (33) and points (44) in 51 games.

Vegas will also be represented in Pacific’s roster by goaltender Logan Thompson, who will be coached by Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy.

Unfortunately for Seattle, there will be no Kraken representation at the All-Star Celebration. A case could have been for Jared McCann, who leads the team with 23 goals, or Vince Dunn, who is third on the team with 36 points.

However, Beniers is a forward and the NHL has decided to replace him with a positionmate from Vegas.

There was quite a grassroots campaign among Vegas fans and teammates to bring Stephenson to Florida, and Locked on Golden Knights co-host Tony Cordasco argued he deserved to be over teammate Jonathan Marchessault at last year’s event.

“Stephenson played on multiple lines in the middle and on the wing. He just shows up, he doesn’t complain, he’s very professional and that’s very worthy of him to be an NHL All-Star,” Cordasco said Tuesday.

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It’s been a season of ups and downs in Vegas, and the team got off to a flying start under their new head coach.

The Golden Knights are second in the Pacific Division but with the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flames hot on their heels after losing 8-of-10 and heading into the break.

Hopefully that Stephenson spark can give them a boost, because if they can’t reverse it, there’s a real risk they’ll miss the postseason altogether.

This will be Stephenson’s first All-Star appearance. He was originally drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 3rd round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (77th overall).

Incidentally, Beniers remains a Calder Trophy favorite and will no doubt have many opportunities to compete in the All-Star Weekend in the future.

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