Two Red Wings were among the 15 Western Conference non-starters named today for the NHL all-star game. Nicklas Lidstrom will play in his 10th consecutive and 11th career all-star game, and Pavel Datsyuk, set to make his third appearance.

In addition, prospects Jakub Kindl and Daniel Larsson were selected to play for the PlanetUSA team in the AHL all-star game. Kindl was chosen as a starter by fan balloting. He ranks seventh among AHL defensemen with 22 points in 36 games.

Kindl, 21, is the sixth Grand Rapids defenseman in eight years to be selected to play in the AHL All-Star Classic, joining Jonathan Ericsson (2008), Derek Meech (2007), Niklas Kronwall (2004-05), Travis Richards (2004) and John Gruden (2002).

Larsson, 22, is in his first season in North America after being named the Swedish Elite League’s top goaltender and rookie of the year for 2007-08. He has a 12-4-1 record through 19 games and ranks among the AHL’s leaders with four shutouts (T1st), a 0.924 save percentage (4th), a 2.30 goals against average (T4th) and 12 wins (T9th).

Of note is that neither defenseman Jonathan Ericsson nor goalie Jimmy Howard were selected. Both Red Wings prospects were AHL all-stars last season. Ericsson and Howard were beaten out for PlanetUSA spots by Larsson and Kindl.

And totally off the path ... the AHL all-star teams are Team Canada and Team PlanetUSA. Isn't Canada part of the planet? Did I miss something? Wouldn't Team EuropeUSA be more appropriate?