Observations:

October 23, 2014 – Gaudreau and Raymond join Mikael Backlund to make up the Flames' second line tonight. Since sitting in the pressbox for a night, Johnny has a goal and two assists in two games. Brad Wilson

October 21, 2014 – Gaudreau will be on the third line again tonight and will be joined once again by Mason Raymond. The duo combined for four points last game versus the Jets. Finding some sustained chemistry with a player like Raymond could help boost Johnny towards a loftier 40-50ish points in his rookie campaign. He has some catching up to do after six games.  Brad Wilson

October 2014 – Gaudreau will draw back into the lineup tonight (Oct19th) against the Jets. He is expected to play on a third line that also includes Mikael Backlund and Mason Raymond. It could be an interesting combination if they get quality ice time to show their stuff. Brad Wilson

October 2014 – After going pointless in his first five games Johnny was looking at the game from the pressbox. Now, it is left to linger, how long before he packs for Adirondack. Lets face it folks, we all knew that if he was going to make it, it was going to be as a top six. Right now he isn't getting top six ice time and not that I'm saying he deserves it, but production will be relative to his time on the ice. 12 minutes will get you 20-30 points. Elevated to 16-18 minutes gets you 50-60… In my humblest of opinions. Stay tuned for the next chapter in the saga of Johnny Hockey. Brad Wilson 

September 2014 – Gaudreau reported for fitness testing on the first day of NHL camp and tipped the scale at 160lbs. 10 pounds up from last season. He has also added an inch to his skyscraper status and is locked in at 5'9". Gaudreau is just a half step ahead of Bennett for the prospect most likely to give the Flames brass fits when trying to decide to keep him with the Flames or send him to Adirondack. Brad Wilson

September 2014 – Gaudreau had his bell rung in the third period of the Flames 6-1 victory over the Canucks' Young Stars. Frank Corrado was assessed a five minute major for elbowing and a game misconduct. Johnny was held out with the Flames up 5-1 but was feeling no ill effects afterwards. "You're going to get hit it's a part of hockey." he told reports. When asked if he had been hit harder than that he said, "I don't know, maybe, that was a pretty good one right there." So far the 'little guy' is holding up just fine. Johnny finished the Young Stars tourney with two goals and an assist. Brad Wilson

September 2014 – Three for three in Flames red. Last night Johnny potted his second goal of the Young Stars Tournament and third in three games as a Calgary Flame. How are all you doubters feeling right now? The college stats, the World Championship performance, a stand out in rookie camp… oh that's right, wait till the real NHL players join camp… and let me go one step further for you, then you'll say, yah but it's just exhibition. Johnny Hockey, get him in a fantasy league near you! Brad Wilson

September 2014 – Gaudreau is two for two in Flames red after scoring a highlight-reel goal in the first game of Rookie Camp. With every opportunity to take the ice he strengthens his hold on an NHL job. Brad Wilson

September 2014 – Gaudreau is getting compliments like, "franchise cornerstone" as he heads into his first Pro season. The size factor will never go away but johnny will look to steal a spot in the top six during camp. His play on the ice should speak for itself, he believes in himself and Flames fans should too. *2014 World Championship highlight pack added below* Brad Wilson

July 2014 – Gaudreau looks to win an NHL spot in camp but odds are, unless he blows Burke and co. away, he will have to prove he can take a few crushing hits and survive at the AHL level first. After the World Championship Burke seemed guarded on the topic of Gaudreau's size saying he's only taken a couple of good bumps. This, after Johnny G dominated for the US squad. Of course he could have been playing the hype down but he, as many have before him, sort of suggested Johnny will have to be made of steel because he is going to get bevelled in the NHL. Perhaps it is only a matter of time? Gaudreau has had no trouble succeeding at all other levels but this is the best league in the world. To be safe reserve your expectations for the coming year until he gets his feet wet. If he can find a way to nullify the size factor (which he has done at EVERY level of his career) he could quickly become a playmaking force. If the Flames can get him some *protection* that can keep up to him it will help. Brad Wilson

May 2014 – Johnny Hockey; an affectionate term of endearment for a hockey player way too small to play in the NHL. Wait… maybe someone should tell Johnny that? Gaudreau was up to his old tricks of proving the experts wrong when he single-handedly put Team USA on his back to knock off Germany in World Championship action. The 20-year-old recorded a goal and three assists in the 5-4 come-from-behind win and leads all American skaters with two goals and 10 points in seven games. The four point night officially ranks Johnny fifth in tournament scoring. Not too bad for a guy that's too small to play the game at an elite level. Brad Wilson

May 2014 – Gaudreau will join Team USA for the World Championships and got off to an early start netting the game winner over Germany in pre-tourney play. The Johnny Hockey saga continues. Brad Wilson

April 2014 – It took Gaudreau a total of one period to garner himself a shot on the Flames top line. His speed was evident all night long as he twisted and darted his way around the offensive zone. At times Canucks took their opportunities to give the rookie a good shoulder or a crosscheck but that is all stuff Johnny has dealt with before. Perhaps the size of the opponent was a bit intimidating at times but it will become old hat soon enough. Let's not forget this kid was playing in a college game just five days ago. Although he had a few hickups, he turned in an impressive NHL debut finishing with one shot and a plus-1 in 15:11 of ice. Oh, did I mention he scored his first NHL goal in the second period. A classic stick on the ice deflection. Gaudreau doesn't look to be joining the Flames farm team in Abbotsford for their playoff drive however as he and Arnold are headed back to BC to finish out their semester of classes. Brad Wilson

April 2014 – Gaudreau has won the 2014 Hobey Baker Memorial Award. He is the only player in the last 11 years to score 77 points in a season and there was only two games all year that he did not score for BC. The Flames have a good one here. Brad Wilson

April 2014 – Johnny Hockey is a Calgary Flame and will reportedly debut Sunday versus the Canucks. The start of a very anticipated career. Brad Wilson

April 2014 – Gaudreau's Boston College Eagles were ousted by the Union Dutchmen of New York in the first game of the Frozen Four. The Eagles lost the game 5-4 and Johnny had a shot to tie it, breaking in with a shot from the top of the circle after the final opening draw was taken with 4.3 seconds on the clock. Amazing he was even able to get the shot off but speed is a funny thing. Gaudreau had a goal and two assists in the game and tallied a plus-1 on the night. In a post game interview he suggested he would now sit down with family and decide what is the best move for his career. "I'll need to figure that out (signing with Flames or returning to BC as a senior) here in the next day, or tonight." A deciding factor may be that his line-mates and self-stated best friends on and off the ice are seniors. They will not be back in Maroon and Gold next season. Now we wait… Brad Wilson

April 2014 – Boston College Junior and Flames prospect, Johnny Gaudreau took another step forward in 2013-14. Gaudreau finished the season as the NCAA scoring leader with 35 goals and 77 points in 39 games. He was recently named winner of the Leonard Fowle Award (New England’s most valuable player) as well as the Herb Gallagher Award (New England's best forward). It is the second straight year Gaudreau has been the recipient of the awards. It is also his second straight season being nominated for the Hobey Baker award as he was named part of the Hobey Hat-trick. "Johnny Hockey" as he's known, is the favorite to win the latter award in his second time around. A New England Division 1 All-star, the highly skilled forward is on his way to the Frozen Four with Boston College and is expected to be offered a contract to join the Flames at the completion of the Eagles season. The kicker here is, Gaudreau still has a year left of college. It has been reported that his father may be pushing for him to take the leap to pro hockey but his mother apparently is pushing the other direction and wants her son to graduate first. No question, another year of getting stronger would help him in the transition to the pro game but Gaudreau is also clearly approaching, if not already, too good for college hockey. If he signs he will not be permitted to return to Boston should he not make the Flames next season, it would be Abbotsford where he would continue his development. If the Eagles are successful in the Frozen Four, Johnny would have nothing left to win at the college level, except of course, his education. Brad Wilson

March 2013 – Gaudreau was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, one of only 10 players in the nation to be named. He led the nation with 1.5 points per game (49 in 33), and was fifth in NCAA scoring. Don't get too far ahead of yourself though – at this point his progress is comparable to Nate Gerbe, so still a couple of years from the NHL and once there is a couple more years from producing. – Dobber

January 2013 – Gaudreau was the best forward for the Gold Medal Champion USA team, other than Alex Galchenyuk. Gaudreau flashed loads of skill and was hard for opposing defensemen to handle. He oftentimes had the puck on a string and his shiftiness made him difficult to hit. His stickhandling really stood out – he could do it in a phone booth….Scored seven goals and nine points in seven games…Was selfish with the puck at times. May be accustomed to having to do so much on his own with Boston College…Was named by Team USA as one of their Top 3 players. – Dobber

December 2012 – Johnny Gaudreau was one of the 27 American players named to the USA Preliminary roster for the upcoming 2013 World Junior Championships. On a USA squad that has struggled to score goals in recent years, Gaudreau will be counted on for his scoring prowess that has seen him notch 10 goals for 21 points in just 13 games this season for Boston College. Brendan Ross

November 2012 – Gaudreau has picked up right where he left off last season as the small offensive collegiate star has recorded a point in every game this season for Boston College. With seven goals (five of them game-winning) and five assists, Johnny Gaudreau's hockey sense and slick puck handling have him tied for 11th in NCAA Division I scoring with 12 points through nine games. Size will continue to be a challenge for Gaudreau but his hockey intelligence and offensive prowess are extremely attractive in fantasy hockey. Brendan Ross

August, 2012 – An offensive catalyst by definition, Jersey native John Gaudreau has proven to be larger than life on the ice and that’s a good thing for the extremely undersized Flames prospect. After lighting the USHL on fire with 72 points in 60 games, Gaudreau was quickly named the league’s top rookie. The Flames’ fourth round selection headed to Boston College taking his talents with him featured by his insane puck skills. Gaudreau, despite being generously listed at 5’8” continues to prove people wrong. In his first NCAA season, he was named NCAA (Hockey East) Tournament MVP finishing second in team scoring (only to Rangers’ Chris Kreider by one point) en route to bringing home a championship. He owns deft puck skills, plays with an element of elusiveness and is simply one of the most dangerous players with the puck on his stick. Brendan Ross

Fantasy Outlook: B+

A smallish forward with oodles of skill. If Gaudreau can overcome the size challenge he could be a dynamite playmaker for the Flames. First line upside.

Footage:

2014 World Championships:

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Gaudreau's first NHL goal:

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Johnny, why are you so good?:

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