NHL Reverses Course, Lets John Scott Into The All-Star Game

Although the Coyotes traded All-Star John Scott on Friday to the Canadiens, who promptly sent him to the AHL, the enforcer will still play in the All-Star Weekend’s 3-on-3 tournament. The NHL announced today that Scott would remain as the captain of the Pacific Division for the season break in Nashville.

The league’s full statement:

John Scott will captain the Pacific Division team at the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend in Nashville, the National Hockey League announced today.

Scott, elected to the Pacific Division captaincy in fan voting while a member of the Arizona Coyotes, was traded Friday to the Montreal Canadiens of the Atlantic Division. The resultant change in division, and Scott’s subsequent assignment to the American Hockey League, created a unique circumstance that required review – the result of which was a determination to maintain the status quo for the All-Star weekend in order to preserve all parties’ pre-existing expectations, including Scott’s desire to participate.

“I am looking forward to enjoying a fun and unique experience at All-Star Weekend in Nashville with my family,” said Scott. “While being voted to the All-Star Game by the fans was not something I expected to happen, I am excited to participate in the All-Star events with my fellow players.”

The All-Star fan vote resulted in Scott’s captaincy for the Pacific Division earlier this month, but last week, Arizona sent him to Montreal in a three-way deal. After the trade, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported that the NHL and Coyotes had both tried to pressure Scott into bowing out of the All-Star Game, but he said no. Scott will still play for the St. John’s IceCaps, but at least his “unique circumstance” was cleared up.

Photo: Getty Images

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