What Is 21st NHL All Star Game

Overview

The 21st NHL All-Star Game took place during the 1967–68 NHL season, a pivotal year as the league expanded from six to twelve teams. This edition marked a significant geographic shift, being the first All-Star Game hosted on the West Coast of the United States.

Featuring a matchup between the established East Division and the newly formed West Division, the game highlighted the NHL's expansion era. The event drew national attention and set the stage for future growth in non-traditional hockey markets.

• January 21, 1968 was the official date of the 21st NHL All-Star Game, held during the league’s first year of major expansion.
• The game was hosted at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena in Oakland, California, seating approximately 10,000 fans.
• This was the first time the NHL All-Star Game was played west of the Mississippi River, symbolizing the league’s national ambitions.
• The East Division roster included stars from the Original Six teams, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.
• The West Division featured players from the six new expansion teams, including the Los Angeles Kings and Oakland Seals.

Game Format and Structure

The 1968 All-Star Game followed a divisional format introduced after the NHL doubled in size. With the league expanding from six to twelve teams, the game was restructured to showcase talent from both established and new franchises.

• Two 20-minute periods: The game was played in two halves instead of the traditional three periods, each lasting 20 minutes of regulation time. This unusual format was used only once in All-Star history.
• East vs. West format: Introduced in 1968, this divisional matchup replaced the previous All-Star format based solely on the Original Six teams.
• Score of 4–3: The East Division won by a single goal, with the final tally reflecting a competitive and tightly contested game.
• Bobby Hull scored two goals for the East Division, making him one of the standout performers of the night.
• John McLellan of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored the game-winning goal late in the second period.
• Attendance was approximately 10,000, a significant number for an arena in a non-traditional hockey market at the time.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1968 All-Star Game differed significantly from both earlier and later editions due to its unique structure and historical context.

This table illustrates how the 1968 game was an outlier in NHL All-Star history. Its experimental format and location reflected the league’s efforts to adapt to rapid expansion and growing national interest in hockey. While later games returned to standard rules, this edition remains a landmark in NHL history for its pioneering spirit.

Why It Matters

The 21st NHL All-Star Game was more than just an exhibition—it symbolized the league’s transformation and westward expansion. It demonstrated the NHL’s commitment to growing the sport beyond its traditional Canadian and Northeastern U.S. strongholds.

• The game proved that hockey could succeed in non-traditional markets, paving the way for future franchises in California, Arizona, and the Sun Belt.
• It marked the first All-Star appearance for several expansion team players, validating their inclusion in the league.
• The two-period format was discontinued after 1968, making this game a unique footnote in NHL history.
• Media coverage increased significantly, with national television broadcasts helping to popularize the event across the U.S.
• Player recognition from the West Division helped legitimize the new teams in fans’ eyes.
• The success of the event encouraged the NHL to continue rotating All-Star locations in subsequent decades.

Ultimately, the 1968 game was a turning point that reflected the NHL’s evolving identity. It combined spectacle with strategic growth, setting a precedent for how professional sports leagues could expand their reach.