Kovalchuk leads NHL East All-star reserves

NEW YORK, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- NHL leading goal-scorer Ilya Kovalchuk was among 15 players selected as reserves for the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

Kovalchuk, a left wing for the Atlanta Thrashers, has scored a league-leading 36 goals and is second in the NHL with 61 points this season. He and forward Marian Hossa will be representing the Thrashers at the All-Star Game when it is played Jan. 27 on their home ice in Atlanta.

Also chosen at forward for the Eastern Conference were Washington's Alexander Ovechkin, who on Thursday signed a 13-year, $124 million contract with the Capitals, Ottawa's Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza, the New York Rangers' Scott Gomez, Carolina's Eric Staal, Philadelphia's Mike Richards and Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis.

Goaltenders Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders and Tomas Vokoun of the Florida Panthers were selected to backup starting East goalie Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils.

The Eastern Conference reserves at defenseman include Brian Campbell of the Buffalo Sabres, Sergei Gonchar of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tomas Kaberle of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Kimmo Timonen of the Philadelphia Flyers.