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Luongo on All-Star Skills cameo: 'I don't know why I said yes'

Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / Getty

While Hall of Famer Roberto Luongo will need to dust off his goalie equipment ahead of Friday's All-Star Skills Competition, his patented wit is in mid-season form.

"They asked me if I was interested and I don't know why I said yes," Luongo joked following Wednesday's All-Star alumni game, according to NHL.com's Corey Long. "I went on the ice yesterday for the first time and I still feel it in my legs, but it was fun to have the gear back on. After four years off I felt a lot better than I thought I would, so I'm really looking forward to Friday."

The 43-year-old participated in the alumni game as a forward, as he did in November for the HHOF Legends Classic. He will participate in the Breakaway Challenge at the skills competition as the "celebrity goaltender."

Luongo played in five All-Star Games during his 19-season NHL career (2004, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2016). He was also named to the 2008 All-Star Game but did not play in the contest.

Luongo holds multiple franchise records with the hosting Florida Panthers, including most games played by a goaltender (572), most wins (230), and most shutouts (38). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in November.

The skills competition gets underway Friday at 7 pm EST.

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