Shy and unassuming, Linsey Eby seems understandably a bit uncomfortable with all the attention she's received over the last few days.

But as she skates off the ice after hockey practice Saturday, poses for photos and sits down for a chat, it's nearly impossible for her to supress the huge grin across her face.

After all, Eby has plenty of reasons to smile these days. She's about to embark on a week-long vacation. What 10-year-old wouldn't want an extra break from school? Plus, Dallas this time of year is a heck of a lot warmer than Whitehorse. And how many people do you know who get a phone call, at home, from a former NHL superstar?

That's exactly what happened to the 10-year-old Whitehorse resident, who plays atom hockey for Pearson Dental under the Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association.

Eby's mom, Laura, entered her in the McDonald's In The Line Up contest and last Thursday, Linsey received an early morning phone call from Mike Gartner, letting her know she had been selected from more than 12,000 entrants.

Gartner played 19 seasons in the NHL, for Washington, Minnesota, New York, Toronto and Phoenix. He holds the NHL record for most 30-goal seasons, 17, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.

'I didn't really believe it at first,' Linsey explains, although she admits she wasn't sure who Gartner was until her dad, Kelly, informed her. 'I said, Is this for real?' and my mom said, Yeah, yeah, it's for real.' Then I said, Cool'.'

Linsey is one of 12 minor hockey players from across Canada who won a trip to Dallas for the 2007 NHL All-Star festivities, including: round-trip airfare, three nights hotel accommodation and ground transfers, and official player escort uniform, two tickets to the NHL Super Skills event, two tickets to the Young Stars game and two tickets to the NHL All-Star Game.

Oh, and did I mention she'll be standing toe-to-toe, at centre ice, with the likes of Sidney Crosby, Scott Neidermayer and Miikka Kiprusoff?

The 12 youngsters, all of who are between the ages of seven and 12, will step onto the ice with the NHL All-Stars during player introductions and stand with their heroes during the playing of the national anthems.

'On behalf of all of us at McDonald's, congratulations to Linsey Eby from Whitehorse who will enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind hockey experience at the NHL All-Star game,' said Louie Mele, president of McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited.

'As a longtime supporter of Canadian hockey, we're proud to be working with the NHL and NHLPA to bring these special moments to life through the McDonald's In The Line Up program for kids across the country.'

Linsey, who is in her first year of minor hockey she was previously a figure skater is the only girl on the Pearson Dental team. Kelly, who will be accompanying his daughter to Dallas, hopes the opportunity will encourage her to stay in hockey.

'It'll be good for her just to see how big of an event it is. When she gets in that building with 20,000 people and realizes all the things she gets to do, standing on the ice with all the players ... it's a big deal.

'It's something she'll remember for the rest of her life.'

The young athlete doesn't have a particular NHL player in mind that she favors (perhaps there's still time for me to drill a certain mantra into her head ... Ryan Smyth is the greatest hockey player of all time ... you love Ryan Smyth), but she's excited to meet all of them and to check out the city of Dallas.

Her dad, who is a longtime hockey fan and avid NHL watcher, knows who he'll be keeping an eye out for on the ice.

'Sidney Crosby, of course. And I'm a huge (Philadelphia) Flyers fan. I'm sure there won't be too many of them there though,' he laughs, making reference to the fact the Flyers are the NHL's worst team so far this season.

While in Texas, the Ebys hope to get a hockey stick signed by some of the All-Stars and then auction it off as a fundraiser for the Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association.

The Ebys will also get a chance to check out a diverse mix of country, pop, rock and soul music during the festivities.

Robert Randolph & The Family Band will open the 55th NHL All-Star Game with a performance of the band's current hit single, 'Thrill of It', while The Wreckers will perform the U.S. National Anthem before the game.

The All-Star game is scheduled for Jan. 24 while the Super Skills and Young Stars events will take place Jan. 23.

Head coaches Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabres and Randy Carlyle of the Anaheim Ducks will lead the Eastern and Western Conference All-Star Teams, respectively.

As of late December, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby, Buffalo Sabres defenceman Bryan Campbell and Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller held the top three spots among all Eastern Conference vote-getters in All-Star Fan Balloting.

San Jose Sharks centre Joe Thornton, defenceman Scott Niedermayer of the Anaheim Ducks and Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo were the top vote-getters in the Western Conference.

The voting will determine the starting lineups for the 2007 All-Star game.

'Today's NHL All-Stars grew up with dreams of meeting their hockey idols and this unique initiative with McDonald's Canada provides young aspiring hockey players with not only the opportunity to meet their hockey heroes, but to also take part in one of hockey's biggest events,' summed up Ken Kim, NHLPA senior director, business.

'It is certainly an experience these children will not forget.'