NEW YORK, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The NHL Wednesday awarded its 2012 All-Star Game to the Ottawa Senators.
"The league is extremely pleased that Ottawa and Scotiabank Place will be home to the events of all-star weekend 2012," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "Ottawa and the Senators have distinguished themselves in hosting the Stanley Cup Final and two NHL entry drafts, and I have no doubt they will provide an outstanding welcome for our fans, guests, media and business partners."
It will be the first time Ottawa has played host to the annual event.
"The Ottawa Senators and our hockey fans couldn't be more excited at the opportunity to host and showcase the NHL's top players in 2012," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said. "We will create a once-in-a-lifetime, weekend long celebration of all that is great about hockey, the NHL and our city."
The game will be played Jan. 29, 2012.
The 2011 game will be in Raleigh, N.C., home of the Carolina Hurricanes.
