Champion Blackhawks help fill out all-star rosters

NEW YORK: The reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks and the Vancouver Canucks helped round out the rosters Tuesday for the National Hockey League's all-star game on January 30.

Chicago added forwards Patrick Kane (33 points) and Patrick Sharp to the game which already featured top stars Duncan Keith and captain Jonathan Toews.

Vancouver forward Ryan Kesler and Swedish twins Henrik (54 points) and Daniel Sedin (25 goals) were also included on Tuesday as part of the remaining 36 players chosen by league officials.

Anaheim forward Corey Perry (21 goals), Columbus' Rick Nash (20 goals), Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos (31 goals) and Washington's Alex Ovechkin (44 points) were also added to the game in Raleigh, North Carolina.

One surprise pick was forward David Backes who had 17 goals and 48 points for St. Louis last season and has just 12 goals in 41 games this season.

This year the league has changed the format of the annual mid-season contest. Two team captains will each make alternating picks from the pool of 42 players to fill out their teams much like an outdoor game of shinny. Each team must have at least 12 forwards, six defences and three goalies.