Calgary's Gaudreau Scores Big with Philly Fans

Johnny Gaudreau grew up in Salem, New Jersey. He’s a hockey savant. South Jersey is Flyers country but anytime “Johnny Hockey” comes to town fans applaud him. It’s rare that an opposing player can get the kind of adulation he does. He’s not viewed as the enemy but rather a friend of the family.

“It’s exciting. I get to come home and see some family and friends, my niece, I get to play in front of all of them. It’s something you dream about as a kid playing in front of your hometown friends and family,” said Gaudreau, who attended Gloucester Catholic High School and also had his jersey number retired by the school. “I’ve only got to do it twice. Unfortunately, I was injured last season when we came to Philadelphia. I was bummed out about it. I’m excited to be here this time around.”

At 5-9, 157 pounds, he draws a lot of attention from the NHL’s best defenders. Most times his speed and elusiveness have kept him fairly healthy. But last season he had a fractured finger, which caused him to miss playing against the Flyers during the Flames’ visit to Philadelphia.

“Not too much nerves playing here. It’s more excitement. I think everybody likes coming back playing in their hometown in front of people who really care about you and support you,” he said.

Since this season’s game was close to Thanksgiving, he had some thoughts about being home almost in time for the holiday.

“Growing up we always had a big Thanksgiving feast at my house in New Jersey. I’d have my brother-in-law’s family coming over and my family there and it was always a good time.”

Gaudreau finished last season with a disappointing 18 goals and 61 points. That was the lowest point total in the diminutive forward’s brief career and he was hell bent in changing that. This season Gaudreau is off to a fast start. He will easily surpass the 18 goals he got last year and is more on pace to get 30, his career high, once again. His linemates, Sean Monahan and Michael Ferland have performed better this season as well.

“I think my line is playing really well right now. I think we’re better in the defensive zone which is something I think we can grow from compared to last season, the offense is going well,” he admitted.

He grew up a Flyers fan and as such certainly attended the Flyers Wives Carnival every year. Almost every kid from South Jersey has gone at least once in their life.

“I think I went once or twice when I was younger. All the guys running around getting autographs from the Flyers was fun. I still think I have a few Flyers hats around my house,” Gaudreau divulged. “I have a ton of autographs in my house, which was always fun for me meeting those guys and now I get to play against them, so it’s cool.”

We all had a favorite player growing up and his was one of the best American-born players of his generation.