Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers explained why he chose to sit out the NHL All-Star Game in 2024, a decision he discussed with the club’s press service.
Rangers fans were informed that Panarin would miss the event. He and his wife are expecting their second child, a moment he described with warmth and gratitude for the support from fans and teammates. The forward said he was excited about the growing family and looked forward to the special milestone from a personal perspective.
Across the season, Panarin has been a standout for New York. At 32 years old, he has accumulated 53 points, placing him among the NHL’s elite scorers. He has recorded 25 goals and 29 assists, contributing in key moments for the Rangers and maintaining a high pace on the offensive end.
Among the selections from Russia for the All-Star Game are goaltender Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers and forwards Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Alexander Ovechkin, the long-time Capitals captain, was not included on the roster list for this year’s event, a decision that reflects the rotating balance of players chosen to represent the league’s 32 clubs during the Star Weekend.
Star Weekend is scheduled to unfold in Toronto from February 1 to 3, with the league inviting one player from each of the 32 clubs. After the preliminary results are tallied, fan voting will continue through January 11, and an additional 12 players will be named, including four goalkeepers and eight skaters who will round out the rosters for the showcase. The process emphasizes fan engagement while recognizing season-long performance across teams and conferences.
In the lead-up to the event, the NHL released the roster framework for 2024, illustrating how teams across North America are represented and how final selections are balanced between positions and league-wide performance. The All-Star weekend serves not only as a celebration of talent but also as a showcase for the sport, highlighting young stars and veteran leaders alike as they connect with fans and inspire the next generation of players.