Most people know by now that on January 17-19, San Jose is the host city for the National Hockey League's All-Star weekend which culminates with the 47th All-Star game. This amazing event brings together thousands of people from all corners of the globe, including personnel from all 26 NHL teams, members of the press, fans and a collection of the world's best hockey players, amongst others.

The NHL's All-Star tradition began in 1947, when the NHL All-Stars, coached by the late Dick Irvin, opposed the defending Stanley Cup champion Toronto Maple Leafs and Coach Hap Day.

We will take this opportunity in Sharks Magazine to highlight some of the more interesting stories and provide an insightful look into the history surrounding the NHL's mid-season classic.

All-Star Matches Take Shape

During the meeting which surrounded the 1950 All-Star Game in Detroit, two ideas were raised by N.Y. Rangers Publicity Director Stan Saplin, to improve the format which matched the All-Stars against the defending Stanley Cup champions. Saplin suggested the six teams be divided into East and West or that Canadian teams (Montreal and Toronto) confront U.S.-based teams (New York, Chicago, Boston and Detroit). The format changed the next year (1951) when the First Team All-Stars, supplemented by players from the four U.S.-based clubs faced the Second Team All-Stars with additions from Toronto and Montreal. When both the 1951 and 1952 games ended in ties, the NHL went back to the format which matched the Stanley Cup champions against the All-Stars.

The 1967 All-Star game marked the first time in its 20-year history that the game was played in mid-season, rather than prior to the start of the regular schedule. The late Art Ross, a 1984 recipient of the Lester Patrick Award, introduced the idea following a 7-1 victory by the Detroit Red Wings over the NHL All-Stars in the 1950 contest.

"I think the game should be played later in the season," said Ross at the time. "As it is now, we are running-up against competition from baseball and football. There would be none of that if the game was played later in the season."

The third major change in the format was adopted in 1969 when the All-Stars from the East Division skated against the best from the West. The game marked the first time players were rewarded for their efforts, with the winning side receiving $500 per player and those from the losing side $250 each.

The current conference-based format, which initially pitted the Wales Conference against the Campbell Conference, began in 1975.

Ivan Owns Only Unbeaten Record

Coach Dick Irvin (Montreal) of the Second Team All-Stars created controversy in 1951 when he overlooked Vezina Trophy winner Al Rollins of the Toronto Maple Leafs and instead chose Canadiens goaltender Gerry McNeil. The selection marked the first time that the previous season's Vezina Trophy winner did not play in the All-Star Game. The Vezina Trophy is given to the league's top goaltender.

"Well, we'll see how McNeil does with a good team in front of him," said Irvin of the controversy. "I know he is much better than Rollins and besides, I want the best players on my team, I don't consider Mr. Rollins a very good goalie."

In the 1971 contest played at Boston Garden, Gordie Howe of the Red Wings played in his 14th consecutive All-Star Game, eclipsing Maurice "Rocket" Richard's record of 13. Howe finished his unparalleled career with 23 All-Star Game appearances.