Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk will play in 2016 NHL All-Star game

Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network
Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network
Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network

RALEIGH, N.C. – The National Hockey League (NHL) announced on Wednesday that Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk will represent the Metropolitan Division at the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend, to be held from Jan. 30-31 in Nashville, Tenn.

It marks the second consecutive All-Star appearance for the 23-year-old defenseman, having appeared in his first career NHL All-Star Game in Columbus last season.

Faulk currently leads the Hurricanes in scoring with 30 points (14g, 16a) in 40 games this season, and also leads all NHL skaters this season in power-play goals (12), a recognition he solely owns as the first player in league history to score his first 12 goals of the season on the power play.

The current mark has also matched the franchise record for most power-play goals in a season by a defenseman (Risto Siltanen, 1983-84).

Justifying his All-Star selection, Faulk’s play this season rests him near the top in other statistical categories including ranking second among NHL defensemen in goals (14), tied for fourth in points (30), first in power-play goals (12), tied for third in power-play points (15), and tied for second in game-winning goals (4).