What Is 2015 NHL All Star Game

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 NHL All-Star Game was held on January 25, 2015, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, featuring a skills competition and a 3-on-3 format for the first time, with Team Toews defeating Team Foligno 17–12.

Key Facts

The 2015 NHL All-Star Game took place on January 25, 2015
Host city was Columbus, Ohio, at Nationwide Arena
First year featuring a 3-on-3 format in the All-Star Game
Team Toews won 17–12 over Team Foligno
Patrick Kane scored 4 goals and was named MVP

Overview

The 2015 NHL All-Star Game marked a significant shift in format, introducing a new 3-on-3 style of play to increase speed and scoring. Held on January 25, 2015, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, the event was hosted by the Columbus Blue Jackets and drew over 18,000 fans to the arena.

This year’s game replaced the traditional Eastern vs. Western Conference matchup with a fantasy draft format, where captains Jonathan Toews and Phil Kessel selected players regardless of conference. The change aimed to boost fan engagement and showcase star talent in a more entertaining, fast-paced environment.

January 25, 2015 was the official date of the game, marking the first All-Star Game hosted by Columbus since the Blue Jackets joined the NHL in 2000.
The Nationwide Arena hosted the event, with a seating capacity of approximately 19,000 for hockey games, and was filled to 96% capacity.
This was the first All-Star Game to use a 3-on-3 format during regulation, increasing scoring chances and emphasizing player speed and skill.
The captains, Jonathan Toews and Phil Kessel, were selected by fan voting and then drafted their teams from a pool of All-Stars in a live televised event.
Patrick Kane scored 4 goals in the game and recorded 1 assist, earning him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his performance.

How It Works

The 2015 NHL All-Star Game introduced a new structure to revitalize fan interest and highlight individual talent through a more dynamic format. Instead of conference-based teams, players were divided by captains chosen by fans, leading to a more personalized and competitive atmosphere.

Captain Selection: Fans voted for two captains, Jonathan Toews and Phil Kessel, who then drafted their teams from a list of All-Star nominees in a live event on January 22, 2015.
3-on-3 Format: Each 20-minute period featured 3 skaters and 1 goalie per team, increasing open-ice play and reducing defensive congestion.
Two 20-Minute Periods: The game consisted of two halves instead of three periods, with the clock stopping only during timeouts and goals.
Team Toews vs. Team Foligno: Despite initial plans for Kessel to captain one team, he withdrew due to injury, and Corey Perry replaced him, but Team Foligno was named after captain Matt Duchene’s replacement, Matt Foligno.
Scoring System: The final score was 17–12, with Team Toews winning; goals were spread across multiple players, reflecting the high-paced nature of 3-on-3 play.
Skills Competition: Held the day before, the 2015 NHL Skills Competition featured events like the Fastest Skater, Hardest Shot, and Accuracy Shooting, won by players like Tyler Johnson and Zdeno Chára.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2015 NHL All-Star Game format versus previous years, highlighting key structural changes:

Feature	2015 Format	Prior Formats (e.g., 2012)
Team Structure	Team Toews vs. Team Foligno (captain’s draft)	Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference
Game Format	Two 20-minute 3-on-3 periods	Three 20-minute 5-on-5 periods
Player Selection	Captains drafted from pool of All-Stars	Coaches and fan voting by conference
Scoring	17–12 final score, higher goal count	Typically lower scoring (e.g., 12–9 in 2012)
Host City	Columbus, Ohio	OTT (2012), FLA (2011), L.A. (2010)

The shift in 2015 reflected the NHL’s effort to modernize the All-Star Game, which had seen declining viewership. By emphasizing star power and faster gameplay, the league aimed to appeal to younger audiences and increase excitement around the mid-season showcase.

Why It Matters

The 2015 NHL All-Star Game was a turning point in how the league approached its mid-season exhibition, setting a precedent for future events. Its success led to the permanent adoption of the 3-on-3 format in subsequent All-Star Games and influenced regular-season overtime rules.

The 3-on-3 format introduced in 2015 was later adopted for regular-season overtime, improving game flow and reducing shootouts.
Higher scoring and faster pace increased television ratings by 12% compared to the 2012 game, indicating stronger fan engagement.
The fantasy draft concept added unpredictability and entertainment value, making team selection a major pre-game storyline.
Players like P.K. Subban and John Tavares participated in both the Skills Competition and the game, showcasing versatility and boosting individual profiles.
The event highlighted Columbus as a viable NHL market, helping solidify the Blue Jackets’ long-term presence in the league.
Success in 2015 prompted the NHL to continue experimenting, leading to format changes in 2016 and beyond, including division-based teams and timed quarters.

Ultimately, the 2015 game served as a catalyst for innovation, proving that even traditional events could be refreshed to meet evolving fan expectations and media trends.