2011 NHL All Star Game: Steven Stamkos and the 10 Best First Time All-Stars

With the NHL All-Star Game not being played in 2010 due to the Winter Olympics, the 2011 NHL All-Star Game rosters are ripe with first-time participants.

This year's installment of the Midseason Classic has more than just the quirky new format in which captains pick teams like it's a pick-up game.  Twenty-one players will be making their first appearances in the contest and some of the names may surprise you.

Here are the top 10 first-time All-Stars in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game.

10. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 2: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers gets set to make a pass in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on January 2, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

The lone representative from the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia Flyers, Claude Giroux is the perfect player for this game. His dazzling stick skills and scoring ability will allow him to put on a show.

9. Mike Green, Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 23: Mike Green #52 of the Washington Capitals battles for the puck against Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Verizon Center on December 23, 2010 in Washington DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

A glorified winger, Mike Green has led NHL defensemen in scoring each of the last two seasons. Lucky for him, defense is not a priority in the All-Star Game, so his shortcomings in that area won't be put on display.

8. Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 05: Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 5, 2011 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Cam Ward has the honor of playing his first NHL All Star Game in front of his home crowd in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ward has long been underrated and is finally getting the respect he deserves.

7. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 08: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against the Minnesota Wild on January 8, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Penguins have one of the league's best young defensemen in Kris Letang. He has burst onto the scene this season as a viable two-way player and could push for a Norris Trophy in the years to come.

6. Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 10: Matt Duchene #9 of the Colorado Avalanche looks on during a break in the action against the Detroit Red Wings at the Pepsi Center on January 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Duchene earned the number one star as he scored two goals

Matt Duchene is as valuable to his team as any player on this list. He leads the Avalanche in both goals (18) and points (43). Duchene is a player I expect to see back in the All-Star Game year after year.

5. Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 20: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks shoots the puck against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on December 20, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Sometimes a forgotten man playing alongside the Sedin brothers, Ryan Kesler is having a career season for the NHL-leading Vancouver Canucks. Kesler is on pace for a personal best 46 goals this season and could be Vancouver's most valuable player.

4. Jonas Hiller, Anaheim Ducks

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UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 16: Jonas Hiller #1 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on December 16, 2010 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Jonas Hiller has faced more shots than any goalie in the league (1,245), yet he still has the league's third-best save percentage (.929). He is riding a lengthy shutout streak coming into this game.

3. Brad Richards, Dallas Stars

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 11: Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on December 11, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Brad Richards is having a career year and is on pace for 96 points. It's borderline shocking that this is the first All-Star Game Richards has been selected to.

2. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 7: Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates after scoring his second goal of the game against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at Rogers Arena January 7, 2011 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Photo by Rich La

Daniel Sedin, who has 25 goals and 54 points to his name this season, will be playing in his very first All-Star Game. But will he be on the same team as his brother Henrik?

1. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

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NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 09: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 9, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

After his breakout 51 goal campaign last season, Steven Stamkos has piled up 31 goals in the first half of this season. I suspect this will be the first of many All-Star appearances for the talented Canadian youngster.