this is f***ing ridiculus
Despite having zero points in 18 games for the Canucks, Fitzpatrick sat 2nd in All-Star Game voting for defencemen in the Western Conference with 428,832 votes[1] as of December 20, 2006. Fitzpatrick's unlikely popularity was spawned from an internet campaign started on the SomethingAwful forums by Steve Schmid
The idea was to use the new NHL procedure, where people are encouraged to vote as often as they like, to have an unlikely candidate chosen. Contributors to this goal sent the idea across the Internet in hopes of having Fitzpatrick be voted in as one of the two starting defensemen for the Western Conference.[2] They also created several videos on Youtube as a way to spread news. A website, http://www.voteforrory.com, was made as well
The plot was originally conceived as a humorous campaign designed to show the flaws in the NHL voting system. The logic was that if enough people voted for an unlikely player to start the game, the league would change its system. After some time, the plan has metamorphosed for many into a more symbolic gesture. Some supporters have begun to view it as a campaign to send a hard-working player to the All-Star game, as opposed to yet another skilled player.[4] Detractors suggest that it is simply a waste of time and may potentially force a player who deserves to be there to lose his spot.
For his part, Fitzpatrick has stated that he has gotten a kick out of the campaign and acknowledges the hard work that his supporters have put into it.[5] Fitzpatrick's teammates have also been supportive since learning of the campaign, several voicing their intention to vote, and wearing customized "Vote for Rory" T-shirts at a team practice