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Sports pictures of the year
From a nail-biting pass at Superbowl XLIII to a bloody WBO World Welterwight fight, here's a look at the best sports photos of 2009. Slideshow
Lidstrom headlines Western conference all-star additions
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom earned his 11th all-star selection on Wednesday when the Stanley Cup champion's Swedish captain was named to the Western Conference roster.
It marks the 10th straight season the six-time Norris trophy winner, as the NHL's top defenseman, has been selected to play in the all-star game.
Lidstrom will be joined in Montreal for the January 25 showcase by Red Wings team mate and leading scorer Pavel Datsyuk, who received his third consecutive all-star nod.
The NHL's top team, the San Jose Sharks will also send two players to the mid-season showcase, center Joe Thornton and defenseman Dan Boyle, who will be making his all-star debut.
Other all-star game debutants include Minnesota Wild netminder Niklas Backstrom, Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber and Los Angeles Kings left wing Dustin Brown.
The Western attack will have plenty of punch with the addition of Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Rick Nash, Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla, Colorado Avalanche right wing Milan Hejduk, Dallas Stars center Mike Modano, Phoenix Coyotes right wing Shane Doan and St. Louis Blues center Keith Tkachuk.
Vancouver Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo, who has been slowed by a groin injury, hopes to be fit enough to make an appearance in his home town while Edmonton Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray returns to Montreal where he played seven seasons for the Canadiens and played in two all-star games.
The starting six players for both Western and Eastern conference teams were voted by fans and were named earlier this month.
(Writing by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Justin Palmer)
