New Jersey Native, Johnny Gaudreau, Named NHL First Star of the Week

Calgary Flames Johnny Gaudreau, a New Jersey native. (Derek Leung/Getty Images)

Salem, New Jersey native and Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau was named the National Hockey League’s first star for the week ending December 27.

The 22 year-old forward led the NHL with five goals in two games to help lead his Flames to setting a franchise record of 11 consecutive victories on home ice.

Gaudreau opened the week with the third hat trick of his career and second in the month of December, as he helped his team defeat the Winnipeg Jets on December 22. He then found the back of the net twice on Sunday December 27 in a come from behind victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

In 39 games this season the South Jersey left winger, 17 goals and 39 points, currently puts him in a tie for sixth place in both categories. Gaudreau’s five game winning goals this season is one behind the league leader Joe Pavelski, of the San Jose Sharks.

Gaudreau’s first star honors comes one year to the date he received the honors last season in his rookie year as well. He told the Flames website, “I mean I like Christmas, who doesn’t like
Christmas? I think it is probably coincidental. We are playing really well right now at home. I am shooting the puck a lot and getting shots on net and creating scoring chances with shooting the puck. We have got to keep doing that.”

Last season Gaudreau was a finalist for the Calder Trophy, as the NHL’s top rookie, only to come up a little short in the voting and losing out to Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers.