Panthers' Ekblad, Flames' Gaudreau added as All-Star Game injury replacements

A couple of young stars have been called upon to take the place of injured players at Sunday's NHL All-Star Game.

Defensemen Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau have been promoted to the big game in the absence of Sidney Crosby and Erik Johnson, as first reported by Chris Johnston of Sportsnet.

Perhaps not the biggest names to enter the fray, the bump makes sense since the pair is already in Columbus as part of the young stars event, and many more established candidates have already taken to the skies on vacation.

Ekblad, 18, becomes the youngest defenseman to appear in the All-Star Game, and has recorded six goals and 19 assists in 44 games. Gaudreau, 21, has scored 13 goals to go along with 22 assists in his first season for the Flames.

They will join fellow youngster Filip Forsberg in Sunday's game, after he was promoted in the absence of Evgeni Malkin.