COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Blue Jackets have their first NHL All-Star. So does Norway.

The league announced Tuesday that Blue Jackets center Espen Knutsen has been chosen to join the World squad for Saturday's NHL All-Star game in Los Angeles. He replaces the Dallas Stars' Jere Lehtinen, who was scheduled for knee surgery Tuesday.

Knutsen is the first Blue Jackets player and first Norwegian-born player to be selected for the game. He also will participate in the skills competition Friday night.

He has eight goals and 23 assists in 49 games this season.