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Yup, Zemgus Girgensons won the 2015 All-Star voting

Zemgus Girgensons, Sheldon Brookbank

Zemgus Girgensons, Sheldon Brookbank

AP

Fans in Latvia and Chicago should be really happy about the six players who’ve been locked into the 2015 NHL All-Star Game thanks to fan voting.

The NHL announced the six players who secured a spot in the event on Saturday after voting ended right before New Year’s. Buffalo Sabres forward Zemgus Girgensons leading all vote-getters with 1,574,896 while the Chicago Blackhawks swept the remaining positions as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford took the remaining spots at their respective positions.

Girgensons seemed to be the right mixture of sheepish and bemused about this situation as it was happening, according to the Associated Press.

“It’s a little bit embarrassing and funny at the same time,” Girgensons said. “It came out of nowhere. I know people know me back home, but I didn’t think it was going to go that far. That’s like crazy far.”

It’s conceivable that the 20-year-old may make future All-Star squads in a less ... controversial way down the line. As the 14th pick of the 2012 NHL Draft, there’s real talent there, and he’s already producing at a nice level (20 points in 39 games).

That said, this moment will at least be a footnote in his NHL career:

The Blackhawks’ voting dominance may bring about as many jokes as Girgensons winning one for Latvia:

For some, it’s frustrating, yet that might make it that much more fascinating to watch. Either way, the 2015 All-Star Game (and corresponding weekend events) will take place from Jan. 24-25 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.

We’ll see who else makes the mix soon enough, as the rest of the roster will be announced next Saturday (Jan. 10).

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins