He was hoping to make the NHL All-Star Game and he did when fans voted him on as one of the starting six players. And now he’ll get to play before his hometown fans as one of the two captains, a fitting tribute to his wonderful career.

The NHL has announced that Alfredsson and his former Ottawa teammate, Boston defenceman Zdeno Chara, will be captains of the two all-star teams. They’ll select their teams on Jan. 26.

After hearing of his selection, Alfredsson quickly announced that his first pick will be teammate Erik Karlsson — first, because Karlsson’s a good player, second, because the Alfredsson children would be disappointed if he didn’t.

While it has long been rumoured and whispered that Alfredsson would be one of the captains, the 39-year-old captain of the Senators was tickled to hear the news.

“Everybody was kind of telling me it was going to happen,” said Alfredsson.“I didn’t know for sure. I guess I was expecting it from all the rumours.

“But it’s a great honour and it will be fun to go up against Chara, as well. I played with him for a long time and then played against him for a long time.”

“He’s one of the players I respect the most in the league and I look forward to beating him.”

In addition to Karlsson, Alfredsson will be joined in the game by teammates Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza. Another teammate, Colin Greening, will be there as one of the NHL’s top rookies.

For his part, Chara said he was honoured and looking forward to trying his hand as a general manager.

“It’s going to be interesting,” he said. “I’m going to at least try to see how it is to be in the position that some general managers are in or people that are making those decisions.

“But in the group of players that are being selected, I don’t think you can make a wrong choice.”

Alfredsson said he was touched by the support of fans who voted him onto the team.

He didn’t think he’d make it otherwise.

“That’s what made it possible for me to get here,” he said.

“I don’t think I’ve had a good enough season to be able to play myself on the team, so for the fans to recognize the opportunity for me to be part of this and then to make it happen makes me feel really appreciated and humbled.”

It’ll be like a homecoming week for former Senators, which is fitting considering that the team is celebrating its 20th year in the league.

In addition to Chara, Marian Hossa, now of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Brian Elliott, now of the St. Louis Blues, will also be in the game.
It would be ironic if Alfredsson ended up with Elliott as his goalie, but that could well happen, since Alfredsson expects Chara to make Boston goalie Tim Thomas his first pick.