The NHL is shaking up its stale All-Star Game format: Source

A source confirmed Tuesday that two captains will choose players from either conference to make up the teams for the 2011 game in Carolina.

Since 2003, the all-star game has been contested between representatives from the Eastern Conference and Western Conference.

A spokesman for the NHLPA indicated that a formal announcement is pending.

The teams are expected to be picked during a live television event at the start of the all-star weekend. Players will earn a trip to the game the same way as the past — with fans voting for the starters and the NHL’s hockey operations staff rounding out the rest of the pool.

The 2011 all-star game will be held Jan. 30 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C.

The NHL has long been looking for ways to make the game more interesting.