Justin Faulk named Hurricanes All-Star Weekend representative

Eamon Queeney—The North State Journal
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk (27) take the puck down ice in the third period of the NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PNC Arena in Raleigh

RALEIGH — For the third straight year, Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk will represent Carolina at NHL All-Star Weekend. Faulk, 24, was named Carolina’s pick Tuesday, joining Columbus’ Seth Jones and the Rangers’ Ryan McDonagh as the three defenseman on the Metropolitan Division team. The two-day event is in Los Angeles this year, with the All-Star Skills Competition on Jan. 28 and the All-Star Game on Jan. 29.Faulk will be Carolina’s lone representative for the third consecutive year. He participated in All-Star Weekend in 2015 and 2016, and was part of the rookie contingent in 2012.In 33 games this season, Faulk — despite missing seven games due to injury — leads all Carolina defensemen in goals (seven) and is tied with Jaccob Slavin in points (16). His 56 career goals is the most in franchise history, five more than Hall of Fame defenseman Mark Howe’s 51 goals during his career with the Whalers.Faulk is first in Hurricanes history with 171 points, and trails only Whalers Dave Babych (240), Howe (198) and Ulf Samuelsson (175) in franchise history.