Calgary Flames Flashback Friday: Gaudreau Taken at 104th Overall

Happy draft day! Let’s go to a time when the Calgary Flames got a steal of a pick in 2011 when they drafted Flames superstar Johnny Gaudreau.

Sometimes, teams get a steal with a late pick at the draft. We’ve seen that with the Detroit Red Wings when they drafted Pavel Datsyuk in the sixth round and Henrik Zetterberg in the seventh round. And it’s even happened with the Calgary Flames! You may know of a familiar name… Johnny Gaudreau? Does that ring a bell for anyone? Yeah, well if you can believe it or not, he wasn’t taken until the fourth round! Good job Flames scouts.

In 2011, the Flames had five picks (like this year). Gaudreau was the fourth pick for the Flames that year, going 104th overall in the fourth round. Before him for the Flames was first rounder Sven Baertschi, second-rounders Markus Granlund and Tyler Wotherspoon, and after him in the fifth round was goaltender Lauren Brossoit.

Fun fact: Three of those players don’t play with the Flames organization anymore. And for some reason, Gaudreau was looked over by many scouts. Even though he scored 72 points in 60 games with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL in the 2010-2011 season. With his other former junior teams, he was ALWAYS averaging well over 1.0 pts/gp. It is quite a surprise that teams overlooked him, however it is understandable given his size and his size at the time where he was even lighter than he is now (150 lbs instead of 160 now).

Flames superstar

Dec 4, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) jumps on center Jiri Hudler (24) and center Sean Monahan (23) to celebrate Hudler’s goal to tie the game in the third period with against the Boston Bruins at Scotiabank Saddledome. Flames won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports /

Since he’s played his first game with the Calgary Flames, he’s proven to be one of their superstar names. He played his very first NHL game in 2013-2014 in the last game of the regular season. The Flames lost 5-1 that game, but Johnny Gaudreau still got his first NHL goal in his first NHL game! Go Johnny Go!

In his first NHL season in 2014-15, he had 64 points in 80 games and played the majority of the season alongside Jiri Hudler and Sean Monahan. 64 points in 80 games isn’t so bad, especially when that makes you the second in points on the team, right? Especially in your rookie season, right?

Well, if you may remember, that season, the Flames made the playoffs! For the first time in six years! They ended up making it to the second round as well for the first time in 11 years! I guess Johnny Hockey’s some good luck charm or something, hey?

The following season, Johnny had 78 points in 79 games, which tied him for sixth overall in the entire league for points! Wow, not too shabby for an 104th pick, right?

Actually, NHL.com did a redraft of the 2011 draft and put Johnny Gaudreau at first overall. Jumping ahead of first overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and second overall Gabriel Landeskog. Again, not too shabby for the 104th pick hey?

Next: Gaudreau Wins Lady Byng, But Keeps His Shoes On

Let’s hope the Flames get another steal of a pick in the fourth round this year and they’ll have another Johnny Hockey in the making.

Home/Editorials