Your 2011-12 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL all-star representative

The National Hockey league has seen Steven Stamkos and his goal-scoring ability 148 times since he broke into the league during they 2008-09 season. He's scored 279 career points in 284 games played.

This season, Stamkos leads the NHL in goal-scoring, with 29 through 41 games played. He's above a point-per-game pace too (47 points in 41 games played).

Is it any wonder why Stamkos will represent the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2012 NHL All-Star game in Ottawa on January 29th?

The Lightning's proverbial "Big THree" (Stamkos, captain Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis) were all on the initial NHL All-Star Ballot, but none of the above players were voted onto the Eastern Conference team... But none, besides Stamkos, is at the top of the league, either.

A formal press release from the club o Stamkos selection is below the jump.

LIGHTNING CENTER STEVEN STAMKOS NAMED TO NHL ALL-STAR TEAM
Bolts Forward to Make Second Consecutive Appearance
TAMPA BAY - Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos has been selected to represent the team at the NHL All-Star Weekend, to be held at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario, which kicks off on Thursday, January 26 with the NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft.
"I'm excited to be returning to the All-Star Game for a second consecutive year," Stamkos said. "I had a great time at the event last season and I'm confident this time around will be no different. It's truly an honor to be recognized and I look forward to heading to Ottawa."
Stamkos, who made his NHL All-Star debut in 2010-11 and who also represented the Lightning in the 2008-09 NHL YoungStars Game during his rookie season, currently leads the league with 29 goals and is fourth for points with 47. His five game-winning goals are tied for third-most in the league, while his five power-play goals rank first among all Lightning skaters. Through 41 games this season, the 2010 Rocket Richard Trophy co-winner has already recorded hat tricks on two occasions, and is the only player in the NHL to register at least 40 goals in each of the past three calendar years.
The excitement of the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend begins on Thursday, January 26 with the opening of the 2012 Scotiabank NHL Fan Fair and the 2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft at 8 p.m. On Saturday, January 28, the players will take the ice for the 2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Skills Competition at 7 p.m. The League's mid-season spectacular concludes with the 59th NHL All-Star Game, presented by Tim Horton's, at Scotiabank Place on Sunday, January 29 at 4 p.m. Live television coverage of all the action will be provided by NBC Sports Network.