By Mike Watson, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
As Wayne Simmonds represents the Flyers this weekend at the NHL All-Star Game, we reflect back to the last NHL All-Star Game to be held in Philadelphia, back on Jan. 18, 1992 at the Spectrum.
The game featured just one lone Philadelphia Flyer representative, center Rod Brind’Amour, as the Flyers were mired in a "retooling" of sorts in the early 1990s.The format was simply, one conference versus the other — the Campbell and the Wales.
The rosters were loaded with some of the greats of the game at that time, either on their way to stardom, or had been there for quite a while. A staggering 19 players played in this game that were newly named this weekend to the NHL’s Top 100 in league history.
There were nine from the Campbell Conference: Chris Chelios, Sergei Fedorov, Al MacInnis, Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, Adam Oates, Larry Robinson, Luc Robitaille and Steve Yzerman.
For the Wales Conference, there were 10: Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey, Jaromir Jagr, Brian Leetch, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Scott Stevens and Bryan Trottier.
Note: Both Robinson and Trottier were "Commissioner Selections" by Gary Bettman, celebrating their Hall of Fame NHL careers.
Photo: Wikipedia Commons
Both the All-Star game and the Skills Competition would feature a couple of "firsts."
In the skills competition, the Fastest Skater event was added, and it was a photo finish between Fedorov and Alexander Mogilny, with Fedorov squeaking out the win. It was also the memorable night for Ray Bourque and his "4-for-4" in the shooting accuracy competition, needing just four shots for the four targets.
For the All-Star game itself, it would be the first one in which there were no penalties called. Also, it was the first in which there were three goalies per squad, each playing one period.
In a 10-6 Campbell Conference win, it would be the Gretzky and Hull show. Brett picked up the MVP honors with two goals, including the game winner. He would also add an assist on a Gretzky goal in the first period. The Great One would add both assists on Hull’s goals. "Lucky" Luc Robitaille would also have a three-point night, all assists, playing alongside them.
Unfortunately, Brind’Amour didn’t find his way onto the score sheet for the Wales. They were led by Sakic and Mogilny with two points each.
Hmmm, 1992, some 25 years ago. Mr. Bettman? I think Philadelphia is about due for another All-Star Weekend.
