Stars of Stars

The NHL all star and all-rookie teams also were announced yesterday.

Nicklas Backstrom, who finished second in the Calder Trophy voting for rookie-of-the-year, was selected to the first all-rookie team.

Alex Ovechkin was selected to the first all-NHL team for the third time in his first three years in the league. He is the first player since Terry Sawchuk (1950-51 through 1953-53) to be so honored. He is the first skater in the history of the NHL to be selected to the first all-star team in his first three full seasons. Here are the teams:

2007-2008 NHL First All-Star Team

G Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks
D Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
D Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames
C Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
RW Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
LW Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

2007-2008 NHL Second All-Star Team

G Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
D Brian Campbell, San Jose Sharks
D Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
C Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
RW Alex Kovalev, Montreal Canadiens
LW Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings

2007-2008 NHL All-Rookie Team

G Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
D Tobias Enstrom, Atlanta Thrashers
D Tom Gilbert, Edmonton Oilers
F Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals
F Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
F Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

Congratulations to all...

photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images