USA Hockey Magazine

February 2013

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BY BRIAN WERGER + DIGITAL BONUS FEATURE JOHNNY HOCKEY'S HOCKEY'S HISTORIC John Gaudreau Becomes First Player To Win Clark Cup, NCAA Title And World Junior Gold A little more than two years ago, a kid from Carneys Point, N.J., showed up in Dubuque, Iowa for the start of training camp with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Appearances definitely were deceiving because who could have ever dreamed that a 5-foot-5, 147-pound forward would accomplish so much in hockey…well except for John Gaudreau. One of his original goals was just to be in the lineup for all 60 USHL regular season games. A tall order for a player who didn't stand so tall and for a team that had a lot of question marks as it began its first season in the USHL. Under the guidance of head coach Jim Montgomery, it proved to be a magical season for the Dubuque Fighting Saints and Gaudreau proved that his heart was much bigger than his stature. Not only did he play in all 60 games, he excelled on the ice. Gaudreau put up 72 points (36 goals, 36 assists) in the regular season to not only lead his team, but finished fourth overall in League scoring. His 36 goals were second most in the USHL, and his 15 power play tallies led all skaters. The outstanding sea- 22 FEBRUARY. 2013 son earned him the nod as USHL Rookie of the Year. It didn't end there as Gaudreau put up a team-leading 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 11 playoff games to lead the Dubuque Fighting Saints to the Clark Cup title. A few weeks later, Gaudreau would realize another hockey dream when his named was called by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, making him the 104th pick overall. A whirlwind few months especially for a kid who had yet to celebrate his 18th birthday. The eventful few months would be some of the most significant of his young USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS COURTESY OF career as they helped him make the jump to college hockey. A scholarship to hockey powerhouse Boston College was next up for Gaudreau, but would he be able to make an impact right away as a freshman? He continued to prove any doubters wrong as he went on to play all 44 games for the Boston College Eagles and scored 44 points (21 goals, 23 assists), second most on the team. The forward was dynamic during a 19-game winning streak for BC that culminated with a NCAA Championship. T championships in less than a year and wo building a storyline worthy of a Hollywood movie script, what more could a young IMAGES ON ICE (2); UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE; BOSTON COLLEGE

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