Johnny Gaudreau might have solely stood at 5-foot-9, however he possessed the stature of a hockey participant that was as harmful as they arrive. Gaudreau, who was killed in a biking accident on Thursday, left an indelible mark on the hockey world through the years, each on and off the ice.
Gaudreau racked up 743 factors (243 targets & 500 assists) in 763 profession NHL video games after being chosen by the Calgary Flames within the fourth spherical of the 2011 NHL Draft. His checklist of accolades is sort of prolonged as he completed every thing from successful the Hobey Baker Award to showing in seven NHL All-Star Video games to successful the Woman Byng Trophy for his sportsmanship.
“He will probably be remembered fondly in Calgary, the place he performed his first 9 seasons with the Flames from 2013-14 to 2021-22, rising as considered one of our League’s brightest younger stars whereas compiling the franchise’s fifth-highest profession factors whole,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned in an announcement. “His loss additionally will probably be felt profoundly in Columbus, the town wherein he selected to settle his household and the place he was one of many revered, veteran leaders of a membership constructing towards the playoffs.”
The gifted winger started his hockey profession starring at Gloucester Catholic Excessive College in southern New Jersey. He tallied 51 targets and 57 assists in his last two seasons and led the college to a NJSIAA Non-Public Championship as a junior. Gaudreau was arguably one of the best participant to ever come out of “The Backyard State,” as he leads all New Jersey-born gamers together with his 743 profession factors.
Following his highschool profession, Gaudreau performed for the Dubuque Preventing Saints in the US Hockey League. He ended up serving to them win the Clark Cup, which is awarded to the champion of the USHL. Gaudreau was made the USHL All-Rookie Staff and gained Rookie of the Yr.
After his time with Dubuque, Gaudreau was chosen by the Flames within the 2011 NHL Draft. Regardless of attending coaching camp with the Flames, he determined to attend Boston Faculty together with his brother, Matthew. Gaudreau loved an immense quantity of success on the collegiate degree, and even gained the Hobey Baker Award in 2014 as the highest participant within the nation.
His crowning second got here throughout the 2012 nationwide championship when he led Boston Faculty previous Ferris State in a 4-1 triumph. Late within the third interval, Gaudreau was capable of safe the puck in his personal zone, charged up ice, and deked his means in the direction of the web. Gaudreau was capable of finding the again of the web with 3:02 to go and gave the Eagles a 3-1 lead at the moment.
Simply two years later, Gaudreau made his long-awaited NHL debut within the Flames’ last recreation of the common season, and showcased his expertise proper off the bat. Gaudreau scored a tip-in purpose in his first NHL recreation off assists from Joe Colbourne and Chris Breen, and confirmed that he was beaming with expertise.
Gaudreau had so many heart-pounding moments throughout his 11-year NHL profession. Maybe one of the spectacular got here throughout the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Flames trailed the Dallas Stars 2-1 in an opening-round collection when Gaudreau scored the game-winning purpose in Sport 4 to tie up the collection. After the Stars and Flames traded Video games 5 and 6, Gaudreau had arguably one of many largest targets of his profession. With Sport 7 knotted at 2-2 late within the first extra time interval, Gaudreau was capable of deposit a side-angle rebound shot previous Jake Oettinger to win the collection for the Flames.
The collection victory was Calgary’s first for the reason that 2014-15 marketing campaign.
Gaudreau had many spectacular seasons as he topped the 70-point mark on 5 totally different events. Nonetheless, the New Jersey native had a season for the ages in 2021-22 when he was tied for second within the league in factors (115) with then-Florida Panthers ahead Jonathan Huberdeau. That marked Gaudreau’s last season in Calgary as he left to signal with the Columbus Blue Jackets in free company that offseason.
Throughout his last two skilled seasons, Gaudreau compiled 134 factors (33 targets & 101 assists) whereas enjoying for the Blue Jackets. The gifted winger ended up registering 12 targets and 48 assists in 81 video games in his last NHL season in 2023-24.
It is no secret that Gaudreau was the kind of participant that may rating from any space on the ice. Given his great persistence, his pinpoint accuracy was unmatched. It additionally did not damage that Gaudreau possessed above-average velocity that allowed him to get behind the protection an excellent quantity of the time.
Gaudreau leaves behind an outstanding legacy as one of many high American-born gamers that the game has seen lately. He’ll be remembered for his eye-popping scoring skill, in addition to his selfless character off of the ice.
