- Editor's Note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson is an All-Star once again.
The NHL announced Thursday that Karlsson, who leads all NHL defensemen with 13 goals, 40 assists and 53 points, made the Pacific Division squad along with Matty Beniers, Kevin Fiala, Nazem Kadri, Connor McDavid, Elias Pettersson, Troy Terry, and Logan Thompson.
This is Karlsson’s seventh career All-Star Game nod and his second in a Sharks uniform. His first representing Team Teal was during the 2018-19 NHL season.
Karlsson told The Mercury News that he’s particularly excited about this All-Star Game because this will be the first one that his daughter Harlow, born in Oct. 2019, and son Stellan, born in Feb. 2022, will get to experience.
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It’s been a renaissance campaign for Karlsson, who’s on pace for 111 points. If the Sharks defenseman achieves that, he would be the first blueliner to surpass the century mark in points since Brian Leetch in 1991-92.
