NEW YORK (Jan. 18, 2021) – Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov and Fairview Hospital RN Brittany Hutchinson have been named the NHL’s “First Stars” for the week ending Jan. 17.
Throughout the 2020-21 season the NHL will celebrate the remarkable efforts of the off-ice stars who make it possible for us to play our games amid a pandemic by honoring frontline healthcare heroes from the regions represented by the League’s weekly and monthly “Stars.”
Hutchinson, a Wild season-ticket holder, is a registered nurse who works on the COVID unit at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis. In 2004, she became the youngest person in America to receive the Medal of Valor, earning the honor after pushing a child out of the way of a school bus and allowing herself to be run over instead. Hutchinson also survived a terminal illness when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor nine years ago. She went on to attend Bethel University, where she graduated with honors and received her BSN, RN and PHN. Hutchinson also has participated in 12 humanitarian and medical relief missionary trips to eight states and four countries, including India, Taiwan, Paraguay and Belize.
Rounding out the “Three Stars” of the week are Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny and Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos. More on each NHL player’s performance can be found below:
FIRST STAR – KIRILL KAPRIZOV, LW, MINNESOTA WILD
Kaprizov collected 1-3—4 in two games, including points on both of the Wild’s overtime goals, to help Minnesota begin the season with a pair of victories. Kaprizov scored the overtime winner and added two assists as the Wild rallied from a 3-1 third-period deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in their season opener Jan. 14. He became the third player in NHL history to score an overtime goal in his League debut, following Nick Knott (1941-42 w/ BRK) and Tim Sweeney (1990-91 w/ CGY), as well as the first player in franchise history to record three points in his first NHL game. Kaprizov then earned the primary assist on Marcus Johansson’s overtime goal as Minnesota again overcame a 3-1 third-period deficit to triumph over the Kings 4-3 on Jan. 16. In doing so, the 23-year-old Novokuznetsk, Russia, native became the first player in League history with overtime points in each of his first two career games.
SECOND STAR – TRAVIS KONECNY, RW, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Konecny topped the NHL with 3-2—5 in two contests to propel the Flyers to a pair of wins, both over the intrastate rival Pittsburgh Penguins. He posted one assist in a 6-3 victory Jan. 13, followed by a career-high three goals and four points (3-1—4) in a 5-2 triumph Jan. 15. The 23-year-old London, Ont., native appeared in 66 games in 2019-20, pacing Philadelphia with a career-high 24 goals and 61 points (24-37—61).
THIRD STAR – STEVEN STAMKOS, C, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Stamkos notched 2-3—5 in two outings to power the defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning to a 2‑0‑0 start to the season. He scored in each of Tampa Bay’s wins over the Chicago Blackhawks, tallying 1-2—3 in a 5-1 triumph Jan. 13 and 1-1—2 in a 5-2 victory Jan. 15. The 30-year-old Markham, Ont., native and two-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner has compiled 424-413—837 in 805 career NHL games.
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.