VANCOUVER (CP) - Alexander Ovechkin is the first rookie in 15 years to be named to the NHL's first all-star team.

The 20-year-old Russian was a runaway leader in voting for left-wingers, it was announced during the league's annual awards gala Thursday night. The last first-year player to be so highly thought of was goaltender Ed Belfour, who was with the Chicago Blackhawks when he was named to the first all-star team in 1991.

Joining the Washington Capitals rookie on the first team are New York Rangers right-winger Jaromir Jagr and defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom, who earned their seventh career berths; goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff of the Calgary Flames and centre Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks, each of whom earned his first selection; and Scott Niedermayer of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, who was voted to the first team for the second consecutive time.

The second all-star team is comprised of New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur, defencemen Sergei Zubov of Dallas and Zdeno Chara of Ottawa, and forwards Eric Staal of Carolina and Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley of Ottawa.