Stephen Mainart

The definitive Johnny Gaudreau forever young hockey moment. 12 years ago. He's 18 years old. Ices the 2012 NCAA Championship game. Comically quick feet, hands, and brain. His comp for me was always Allen Iverson--I covered both in college. Impossibly small and skinny (JG MIGHT be 140 pounds here) yet dominated the game and had GIGANTIC respect from his peers. Gaudreau was looked at as a freak and a savant who thought and played the game quicker than everyone else because he had to. Look at his face here--pure joy. A unique Christmas decoration who lit up the game whenever he hit the ice. With Johnny Gaudreau, there was always the possibility of a moment like this. An electric star who made the sport better by his art yet was grounded in his foundational principle: a big, loving family and countless friends is more important than anything. Humility and humanity personified. A son, brother, husband, father, and friend. For life.