Legendary "Johnny Hockey" Gaudreau Joins CBJ

Johnny Gaudreau's story and what makes him so special

Aug 10, 2022

Johnny Gaudreau is elite. Today, we do a deep dive on the 5’9” (on a good day) 165 lb superstar forward, six-time NHL all-star, & proven winner, and the newest member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Youth

Johnny’s dad owned the local rink and by age two, he was on the ice.. although the first month was Johnny laying on the ice doing snow angels. Johnny was bribed with skittles to get him moving around.

“The first few months were basically a waste of time. He just laid on the ice.” - Guy Gaudreau (Johnny’s father)

He has plenty of ice time given his family’s rink ownership. Despite this, his parents never forced him onto the ice.

“We always gave him the choice” - Jane Gaudreau (Johnny’s mother)

When he tried out for his desired team his U15 and U16 year… he was cut. He kept working and finally made the team his U17 season.

Guy remembered having a talk with young Johnny:

“Listen John… Look at your dad, look at your mom. We’re not 6’3 / 6’4. I’m going to tell you one thing. I will never discourage you from working hard and trying to obtain your goal. But you have to understand. It’s going to be twice as hard for you as it is for anyone else.”

Juniors

When he entered the USHL, Johnny was 5'6” and 137lbs. You might say he was a small late bloomer with a baby face.

There, he won USHL rookie of the year, finished 4th in league scoring, and his Dubuque Saints won the Clark Cup as league champions.

After his one and only season in the USHL, he was only drafted in the 4th round (#104) of the 2011 draft by the Calgary Flames.

College

Entering college at Boston College, Johnny was 5-foot-8, weighing about 150 lbs.

Gaudreau continued to prove people wrong. He finished his freshman year second on the team in scoring (by one point, to Chris Kreider), was named Hockey East Tournament MVP, named MVP of the Beanpot, and won the NCAA Championship (starting to notice a winning trend?). Take a look at the goal he scored in the NCAA Championship game:

Rather than rush to the professional game, he went back and dominated his sophomore and junior seasons. In his third and final year, he capped it off by winning the 2014 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the best player in college hockey. He was the only player in the NCAA to score 80 points in a season since 2003 (the next closest was 65). Nobody one has done it since, either.

A soft-spoken and relatively shy person off the ice, and a smart competitor on the ice.

“He’s a better person than he’s a player” - BC head coach Jack Parker

International Stage

Gaudreau was arguably the best forward for the Gold Medal-winning USA team at the IIHF World Championships, and was named by Team USA as one of their top three players. He nearly single-handedly put Team USA on his back to knock off Germany with a goal and three assists in the 5-4 come-from-behind win.

Professional

In his first NHL game, Johnny was so impressive that by the start of the second period, he was elevated to the Flames’ top line. Unsurprisingly, he scored his first goal in his first game too.

He continued to grow physically. When he reported to camp the next season, he was listed as 5’9” and weighed 160lbs. Since then he’s gone on to be a true superstar in the NHL and drive results for his team season after season.

He’s a complete player and it shows up in his micro stats:

Skill Profile

Hands

He can stickhandle in a phone booth. You are unlikely to call them smooth, but they are quick and deceptive to the point where the puck seems on a string. His technique is to tap the puck which allows him to play within contact.

Skating

Fast and shifty.

“You’ve got to be really strong on your skates. Now, there is weight room strength and then there is on-ice strength. If you can control your edges and be strong on your blades. You can become very very strong on the ice.” - Jack Parker

Watch how he rolls off contact, plays with a low center of gravity, and lets his body surround the puck. Here he is playing for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup Of Hockey.

He’s constantly in motion, making him extremely difficult to pin down. He’s excellent at gaining speed so he’s already built a speed differential upon puck touch.

Awareness

Like other great hockey players, Johnny is constantly aware and looking around to gather information so he can read and reacts in real-time. You’ll rarely see him get locked into a decision.

“Always keep your head up. I think that’s the most important thing in the game.” Johnny

Defense

Despite being a high-scoring player on the small side, Johnny is a fantastic defender. These great elements show up in his micro-stats as you can see from above.

He will hide in the shadows and steal pucks.

Or backcheck to give back pressure.

Vision

His hockey IQ is elite and his vision matches this understanding. No passing lane? He’ll invent one.

Great backhand

But what truly makes Johnny a threat at all times is his backhand. He’s able to make any play at any time.

More complex backhand

Most players wouldn’t try this pass on their forehand.

Backhand & Vision

Seriously, his backhand is really an asset.

Continuous improvement

“You can think you are a master of something, but there is always a way to get better at something.”

Johnny’s a hockey player who prepares and works extremely hard to keep adding to his game. He’s been proving people wrong at every step of the way that he is a reliable 200-foot player who dramatically tilts the ice into his team’s favor. Columbus is getting a special player and person.

Further Reading

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