25th National Hockey League All-Star Game

The 25th National Hockey League All-Star Game was played on January 25, 1972, at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota North Stars.

The East Division beat the West Division 3-2 on a goal by Phil Esposito. Bobby Orr was named the game's most valuable player.

League Business
Clarence Campbell, president of the NHL, announced that the NHL was expanding to Atlanta and Long Island. Campbell also indicated that the NHL would expand by two further teams for the 1974–75 season. The executives of the Central Hockey League and the Western Hockey League met to discuss the merger of their two leagues. The merger discussions were disrupted when Daniel Myers, owner of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, committed suicide.

The Game
It was the first time since 1956 that Gordie Howe did not play in the All-Star Game.

East Division
No. Player Pos Team
 * 5 Red Berenson C Detroit Red Wings
 * 12 Yvan Cournoyer RW Montreal Canadiens
 * 1 Ken Dryden G Montreal Canadiens
 * 7 Phil Esposito C Boston Bruins
 * 8 Rod Gilbert RW New York Rangers
 * 11 Vic Hadfield LW New York Rangers
 * 17 Paul Henderson LW Toronto Maple Leafs
 * 27 Frank Mahovlich LW Montreal Canadiens
 * 6 Rick Martin LW Buffalo Sabres
 * 18 John McKenzie RW Boston Bruins
 * 4 Bobby Orr D Boston Bruins
 * 2 Brad Park D New York Rangers
 * 10 Gilbert Perreault C Buffalo Sabres
 * 19 Jean Ratelle C New York Rangers
 * 16 Rod Seiling D New York Rangers
 * 20 Dallas Smith D Boston Bruins
 * 9 Dale Tallon D Vancouver Canucks
 * 3 J.C. Tremblay D Montreal Canadiens
 * 30 Gilles Villemure G New York Rangers

West Division
No. Player Pos Team
 * 15 Bobby Clarke C Philadelphia Flyers
 * 35 Tony Esposito G Chicago Black Hawks
 * 8 Bill Goldsworthy RW Minnesota North Stars
 * 4 Ted Harris D Minnesota North Stars
 * 9 Bobby Hull LW Chicago Black Hawks
 * 10 Dennis Hull LW Chicago Black Hawks
 * 11 Ross Lonsberry LW Los Angeles Kings
 * 3 Keith Magnuson D Chicago Black Hawks
 * 16 Chico Maki RW Chicago Black Hawks
 * 14 Pit Martin C Chicago Black Hawks
 * 21 Stan Mikita C Chicago Black Hawks
 * 6 Doug Mohns D Minnesota North Stars
 * 17 Simon Nolet RW Philadelphia Flyers
 * 22 Greg Polis LW Pittsburgh Penguins
 * 12 Pat Stapleton D Chicago Black Hawks
 * 7 Garry Unger C St. Louis Blues
 * 5 Carol Vadnais D California Golden Seals
 * 2 Bill White D Chicago Black Hawks
 * 1 Gump Worsley G Minnesota North Stars