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Since its introduction in 1991, the most anticipated moment of every NHL All-Star Game Skills Competition has been the Breakaway Challenge. Altered in 2008 to make the competition more about skaters than goalies, it has evolved to become a dunk contest-like affair, where style is valued over substance.
Alex Ovechkin has taken home the most titles in history, winning three times in a row from 2008-2011. Ovechkin will be back in the event on Friday night to try and become the first player to win it in two different decades.
Let’s take a look at some of the best moments from the history of the Breakaway Challenge.
#5. Patrick Kane goes Superman mode during the Breakaway Challenge in 2012
In the 2012 All-Star Skills competition, Patrick Kane (arguably one of the best players in the league at the time) clinched the win with some DC comics inspired heroics.
In the final shot of the round, Chicago Blackhawks teammate Marian Hossa came over and handed Kane a pair of Clark Kent glasses and a cape. Kane then dived onto the ice in front of Brian Elliott, passing the puck with his left hand to his outstretched stick and slid the puck past the keeper.
#4. Corey Perry’s mini stick was another highlight from the Breakaway Challenge in 2012
At the very same Skills Challenge in 2012, Corey Perry would add another memorable moment. Perry, who was with the Anaheim Ducks at the time, skated and then stopped at the blue line.
Perry flipped off his gloves in each direction, threw away his stick, then produced a mini stick from inside his breezers. Perry then bent over and guided the puck backhand with the mini stick past goalie Brian Elliott.
#3. Brent Burns turns into Chewbacca during the Breakaway Challenge in 2016
If there’s one player in the NHL known for epic hair, it’s Brent Burns. Since his trade from Minnesota to San Jose (and now Carolina), Burns has sported a full-flowing beard and a toothy grin.
It was only fitting that Burns would throw on a Chewbacca mask during the 2016 NHL All-Star Game Skills Competition. While wearing it he threw a slap shot past Cory Schneider.
#2. Mini Kesler in the Breakaway Challenge of 2017
In 2017, Ryan Kesler added a little bit of cuteness to the NHL All-Star Game festivities when he went to the bullpen.
Instead of dad Ryan taking a shot at future hall-of-game goaltender Carey Price, it would be his six-year-old son Ryker Kesler. Young Ryker moved in on Price, shot it five hole, and scored. The goal would be the only goal scored by the Pacific division in the competition.
#1. Ovechkin and Malkin are Team Canada in Breakaway Challenge back in 2009
In 2009, the Capitals-Penguins rivalry was at an all-time high. Not only that, but fellow Russians and future Olympic teammates Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin were in the midst of some personal beef.
Fortunately for the fans, the two put the beef aside for fun in Montreal. In a show of gratitude to their canadian hosts for the weekend, Malkin skated over to Ovechkin. He gave him a pair of sunglasses and a fishing hat with a canadian flag poking out.
After grabbing a few sips of Gatorade from Malkin, and an extra stick, Ovechkin skated away, passing the puck to himself between the two sticks. Ovechkin then tossed away his right-handed stick and shot the puck left-handed past the keeper. The most impressive thing? Ovechkin isn't left-handed.
