The 25th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the Metropolitan Sports Center in Bloomington, home of the Minnesota North Stars, on January 25, 1972. It was the first and only time the All-Star Game was held at the Metropolitan Sports Center. The East Division All-Stars defeated the West Division All-Stars 3–2. Bobby Orr was named the game's most valuable player.

League business Clarence Campbell, president of the NHL announced that the NHL was expanding to Atlanta and Long Island. Campbell also indicated that the NHL would expand by two further teams for the 1974–75 season. The executives of the Central Hockey League and the Western Hockey League met to discuss the merger of their two leagues. The merger discussions were disrupted when Daniel Myers, owner of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, committed suicide.

The game It was the first time since 1956 that Gordie Howe did not play in the All-Star Game.

Summary # Score Team Goalscorer (Assist(s)) Time First period East Goaltender in: Dryden 0:00 West Goaltender in: T. Esposito 0:00 0–0 East Penalty: Hadfield 6:221 1-0 West Goal: B. Hull (P. Martin, Maki) 17:01 Second period2 2-0 West Goal: Nolet (D. Hull) 1:113 2-1 East Goal: Ratelle (Tremblay, Gilbert) 3:48 2–1 West Penalty: White 5:26 2–1 East Goaltender out: DrydenGoaltender in: Villemure 10:24 2–1 West Goaltender out: T. EspositoGoaltender in: Worsley 10:244 2 -2 East Goal: McKenzie (Park, Seiling) 18:45 Third period 2–2 West Penalty: White 2:28 2–2 East Penalty: Esposito 5:34 2–2 East Penalty: Tremblay 8:42 2–2 West Penalty: Mohns 19:055 2-3 East Goal: Esposito (Smith, Orr) (PPG) 19:16 Goaltenders East: Dryden (30:24 minutes), Villemure (29:36 minutes). West: T. Esposito (30:24 minutes), Worsley (29:36 minutes).Shots on goal East (30) 09 - 08 - 13 West (27) 10 - 11 - 06 OfficialsReferee : Bruce Hood

Linesmen : Claude Bechard, Matt Pavelich Source: Podnieks

Team Lineups East Division All-Stars Coach: Al MacNeil (Montreal Canadiens) # Nat. Player Pos. Team Goaltenders 1 Ken Dryden Montreal Canadiens 30 Gilles Villemure New York Rangers Defencemen 2 Brad Park New York Rangers 3 J. C. Tremblay Montreal Canadiens 4 Bobby Orr Boston Bruins 9 Dale Tallon Vancouver Canucks 16 Rod Seiling New York Rangers 20 Dallas Smith Boston Bruins Forwards 5 Red Berenson C Detroit Red Wings 6 Rick Martin LW Buffalo Sabres 7 Phil Esposito C Boston Bruins 8 Rod Gilbert RW New York Rangers 10 Gilbert Perreault C Buffalo Sabres 11 Vic Hadfield LW New York Rangers 12 Yvan Cournoyer RW Montreal Canadiens 17 Paul Henderson LW Toronto Maple Leafs 18 John McKenzie RW Boston Bruins 19 Jean Ratelle C New York Rangers 27 Frank Mahovlich LW Montreal Canadiens West Division All-Stars Coach: Billy Reay (Chicago Black Hawks) # Nat. Player Pos. Team Goaltenders 1 Gump Worsley Minnesota North Stars 35 Tony Esposito Chicago Black Hawks Defencemen 2 Bill White Chicago Black Hawks 3 Keith Magnuson Chicago Black Hawks 4 Ted Harris Minnesota North Stars 5 Carol Vadnais California Golden Seals 6 Doug Mohns Minnesota North Stars 12 Pat Stapleton Chicago Black Hawks Forwards 7 Garry Unger RW St. Louis Blues 8 Bill Goldsworthy RW Minnesota North Stars 9 Bobby Hull LW Chicago Black Hawks 10 Dennis Hull LW Chicago Black Hawks 11 Ross Lonsberry LW Los Angeles Kings 14 Pit Martin C Chicago Black Hawks 15 Bobby Clarke C Philadelphia Flyers 16 Chico Maki RW Chicago Black Hawks 17 Simon Nolet RW Philadelphia Flyers 21 Stan Mikita C Chicago Black Hawks 22 Greg Polis LW Pittsburgh PenguinsG = Goaltenders; D = Defencemen; C = Center; LW/RW = Left Wing/Right Wing

Source: Podnieks

See also 1971–72 NHL season

References

Further reading