History of Johnny Gaudreau in Timeline
John Michael Gaudreau, nicknamed "Johnny Hockey," was an American professional ice hockey winger in the NHL for 11 seasons. Drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2011, he played college hockey for Boston College, winning the prestigious Hobey Baker Award in 2014. Gaudreau's NHL career included accolades like the Calder Memorial Trophy nomination, a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2014, participation in the 2015 NHL All-Star Game, and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship in 2017. After several successful years with the Flames, he joined the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022.
1980: Historical Scoring Feat
Gaudreau, Lindholm, and Tkachuk became the first linemates since 1980 to each score 40 goals in a single season, highlighting the trio's exceptional offensive production and marking a historic achievement for the Flames.
1987: Youngest Flames Player with a Hat-Trick
Gaudreau became the youngest Calgary Flames player to score a hat-trick since Joe Nieuwendyk in the 1987-1988 season.
August 13, 1993: Birth of Johnny Gaudreau
Johnny Gaudreau was born on August 13, 1993.
1996: First Flames Rookie to Reach 50 Points Since Iginla
Gaudreau became the first Calgary Flames rookie to record 50 points in a season since Jarome Iginla in the 1996-1997 season.
2003: Record-Breaking Season
During the 2013-2014 season, Gaudreau had the highest point production in NCAA hockey since 2003.
2006: Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament
In 2006, Gaudreau played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, a prestigious youth hockey tournament.
2010: Start of USHL Career
Gaudreau began his junior hockey career with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2010.
2010: Teammate's Draft Year
Gaudreau's college teammate, Bill Arnold, was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2010.
June 2011: Commitment to Boston College
Gaudreau committed to play college hockey at Boston College in June 2011, after initially planning to attend Northeastern University.
2011: USHL Championship and Awards
Gaudreau helped the Dubuque Fighting Saints win the USHL Championship (Clark Cup) in 2011 and earned several awards, including USHL Rookie of the Year.
2011: NHL Entry Draft
Gaudreau was selected by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
2011: Drafted by the Calgary Flames
In 2011, Gaudreau was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the NHL Entry Draft.
April 3, 2013: Hobey Baker Award Finalist
Gaudreau was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 2013, recognizing him as one of the top players in college hockey.
2013: End of Flames' Season
The Calgary Flames' final game of the 2013-2014 season marked Gaudreau's NHL debut.
2013: Gaudreau Leads U.S. to World Junior Championship Gold
In 2013, Gaudreau showcased his talent on the international stage, leading the United States to a gold medal victory at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. His exceptional performance, including a hat trick in the quarter-finals, earned him a spot on the tournament All-Star Team.
2013: Gaudreau Plays Alongside Brother at Boston College, Family Hockey Legacy Highlighted
In 2013, Johnny Gaudreau shared the ice with his brother Matthew at Boston College, marking a special moment in their hockey careers. Their father, Guy Gaudreau, had a significant influence on their journey in the sport, having coached at Gloucester Catholic and earned recognition in the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame.
April 11, 2014: Signing with the Calgary Flames
Gaudreau signed an entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames on April 11, 2014, after his college season ended.
December 22, 2014: First NHL Hat-Trick
On December 22, 2014, Gaudreau scored his first NHL hat-trick against the Los Angeles Kings.
2014: NHL All-Rookie Team Selection
Gaudreau was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team for the 2014-2015 season.
2014: Hobey Baker Award and NHL Debut
Gaudreau won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA hockey in 2014. He also made his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames, scoring a goal in his first game.
2014: Hobey Baker Award Winner
Gaudreau won the Hobey Baker Award in 2014, recognizing him as the top player in NCAA hockey.
2014: Gaudreau Represents U.S. at World Championship
In 2014, Gaudreau continued his international career, representing the United States at the IIHF World Championship. He scored his first goal as a professional during the tournament and finished among the top ten scorers, despite the U.S. team's quarter-final exit.
2014: Successful Debut Season
In 2014, Gaudreau's exceptional performance during his rookie season with the Flames surprised many, setting the stage for his continued success in the following years.
January 2015: Gaudreau Files Trademark for "Johnny Hockey" Nickname
In January 2015, Gaudreau took steps to protect his brand by filing a trademark application for his well-known nickname "Johnny Hockey" in both Canada and the U.S., demonstrating his awareness of his growing public image.
January 25, 2015: NHL All-Star Game Appearance
Gaudreau participated in the NHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition on January 25, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio.
March 11, 2015: 50-Point Milestone
Gaudreau reached the 50-point mark in his rookie season on March 11, 2015.
2015: Breakout Season and All-Star Recognition
In 2015, Johnny Gaudreau had a standout year, achieving career-highs in goals, assists, and points. His performance earned him a spot in the NHL All-Star Game for the second consecutive year, and he was also a finalist for the All-Star Game MVP award.
2015: NHL All-Star Game and Calder Trophy Finalist
In 2015, Gaudreau was selected to his first NHL All-Star Game and was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best rookie.
2015: Breaking a Playoff Drought
Gaudreau ended a personal playoff goal drought dating back to 2015 during the qualifying round of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, marking a significant moment in his playoff career.
October 10, 2016: Contract Signing
On October 10, 2016, Gaudreau signed a six-year contract extension with the Flames worth $40.5 million, ending a contract holdout that caused him to miss the entirety of the team's training camp.
November 16, 2016: Finger Injury
On November 16, 2016, Gaudreau sustained a finger fracture during a game against the Minnesota Wild. The injury required surgery, but he made a quicker recovery than anticipated, returning to play after missing ten games.
2016: Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Nomination
Although not mentioned in the provided text, Gaudreau was nominated for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct in 2016.
2016: Gaudreau Joins Team North America for World Cup of Hockey
In 2016, Gaudreau was selected to play for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey, showcasing his skills alongside other rising stars from the U.S. and Canada.
2017: Leading Scorer and Playoff Appearance
Despite a finger injury earlier in the season, Gaudreau led the Flames in scoring during the 2017 season. The team made the playoffs but were swept in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks.
2017: Career-High in Points
Gaudreau achieved a career-high in points during the 2017-18 season, finishing among the NHL's top scorers and earning his fourth consecutive All-Star selection. However, the Flames fell short of a playoff berth.
2018: Reflecting on a Career Year
As the 2019-2020 season began, Gaudreau aimed to build on the success of his career-best season in 2018-2019.
2018: Gaudreau Wins Bronze with Team USA at World Championship
In 2018, Gaudreau contributed to Team USA's success at the IIHF World Championship, helping them secure a bronze medal. His playmaking abilities were on display as he tallied multiple assists during the tournament.
2018: Career-Best Season
The 2018-19 season marked Gaudreau's best regular season performance, achieving career highs in goals, assists, and points. His outstanding contributions were instrumental in the Flames securing the Pacific Division title.
April 19, 2019: Gaudreau Selected for Team USA at World Championship
On April 19, 2019, Gaudreau was chosen to represent the United States at the IIHF World Championship, further solidifying his place as a key player on the international stage.
2019: Hart Trophy Nomination and Playoff Disappointment
In 2019, Gaudreau was nominated for the Hart Memorial Trophy, recognizing the league's most valuable player. However, the Flames experienced a disappointing playoff exit, falling to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round.
2019: Playoff Struggles
Gaudreau's performance in the 2019 playoffs was significantly below expectations, managing only one assist in five games, a factor in the Flames' early exit.
2020: Pandemic-Shortened Season and Playoff Return
The 2020 NHL season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the playoffs were held in a bubble. Gaudreau and the Flames participated in the bubble playoffs, where he scored his first playoff goal since 2015.
2020: Navigating a Unique Season
The 2020-21 NHL season saw a temporary realignment of divisions and a shortened schedule due to the ongoing pandemic, creating a unique set of challenges for Gaudreau and the Flames.
2021: Coaching Change and Milestone Assist
During the 2021 season, Gaudreau experienced a coaching change as Darryl Sutter replaced Geoff Ward, leading to an adjustment period. Despite the challenges, he recorded his 300th career assist and led the Flames in goals and assists, though the team narrowly missed the playoffs.
2021: Dominant Line and Career Milestones
In the 2021-22 season, Gaudreau, alongside Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk, formed one of the NHL's most dynamic forward lines. They achieved numerous milestones, with Gaudreau surpassing the 100-point mark for the first time in his career and recording the second-most points in a single season in Flames' history.
July 12, 2022: Gaudreau Announces Departure from Calgary Flames
On July 12, 2022, Johnny Gaudreau surprised many by announcing he would not be re-signing with the Calgary Flames. This decision came despite a substantial offer from the team, making him a highly sought-after free agent.
July 13, 2022: Gaudreau Signs with Columbus Blue Jackets
On July 13, 2022, Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. This move surprised many, as Columbus wasn't considered a top destination for free agents.
2022: Signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets
Gaudreau signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022 after spending his previous NHL seasons with the Calgary Flames.
2022: Playoff Breakthrough and Battle of Alberta
The 2022 playoffs saw Gaudreau elevate his game, scoring crucial goals, including an overtime winner, to propel the Flames past the Dallas Stars in the first round. The victory set up a highly anticipated second-round matchup against their provincial rivals, the Edmonton Oilers, marking the first playoff "Battle of Alberta" in 31 years.
2023: Gaudreau's First Season with Blue Jackets Marked by Challenges and Individual Success
In 2023, Gaudreau faced a difficult first season with the Blue Jackets, a team plagued by injuries. Despite the team's struggles, Gaudreau's individual performance was strong, earning him an All-Star Game selection. He remained optimistic about his decision to join the team.
August 29, 2024: Death of Johnny Gaudreau
Johnny Gaudreau passed away on August 29, 2024.