John Michael Gaudreau is an American ice hockey winger currently playing with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. Born on August 13, 1993, he is also known as “Johnny Hockey”. Gaudreau was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 4th round (104th overall pick) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Before entering into the NHL, he played college hockey with Boston University in the NCAA Division from 2011 to 2014. As a freshman, Gaudreau impressed everyone by scoring 44 points in 44 games, contributing to the National Championship, and winning the Bill Flynn Trophy as the MVP of the Hockey East Championship Tournament. In his sophomore year, he led the nation in points per game, securing Hockey East Player of the Year award.
He advanced to the NHL in 2015 where he made an immediate impact, earning a spot in the 2015 NHL All-Star Game and becoming a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top rookie in the 2014-2015 season. Gaudreau was recognized as the NHL's most gentlemanly player, earning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the 2016-2017 season.
Johnny Gaudreau Contract
The 30-year-old American left winger Johnny Gaudreau is set to earn a salary of $9,750,000 with a corresponding cap hit for the 2023-24 season. He is currently under a seven-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets for $68,250,000 with a cap hit of $9,750,000. Johnny Gaudreau was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 4th round of the 2011 NHL Entry draft and since then he has signed three contracts worth $114,300,000. His first contract was a two year entry level contract for $5,550,000 with the Calgary Flames. His second contract was a six year contract with the Calgary Flames for $40,500,000. His third contract and current is a seven year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets for $68,250,000. The contract has a 10 team trade list (2026-2028). Johnny Gaudreau will be an unrestricted free agent after the completion of his tenure in the 2028-2029 season.
In his 11-season career, he has collected 689 points in 699 regular games and contributed 33 points in 42 playoff games.
Johnny Gaudreau NHL Journey
Johnny Gaudreau debuted in the NHL on April 11, 2014, in the final game of the 2013-2014 season where he scored his first NHL goal on the first shot. In the 2014-2015 season, he continued to shine, earning a place on the roster and finishing with 12 goals and 30 points in his first 37 games. Johnny became the youngest player in the Flames’ history after Joe Nieuwendyk in 1987 to record a hat trick. Due to his stellar performance, he earned a spot in the NHL All-Star Game in 2015. In the following season, Johnny Gaudreau scored his career-highs in goals, assists, and points. He finished sixth in points among all the NHL players.
In the 2016-2017 season, Gaudreau faced a contract dispute due to which he missed the training camp. However, later he signed a six-year contract just before the season opener. He missed 10 games due to his finger injury. Despite injury, he finished the season with 18 goals and 61 points. He scored his career-high 84 points in the 2017-2018 season where he earned a place among the top-20 in the NHL, making a place in the NHL All-Star. Gaudreau reached the 100-point mark in the 2021-2022 season where he scored 40 goals and 75 assists, finishing second for the Art Ross Trophy.
However, the Flames faced challenges in the playoffs. In 2022, the Flames were defeated by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round. Gaudreau decided to leave the Calgary Flames as his tenure was nearly complete. He joined the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2022-2023 season where Gaudreau saw personal success, selected for the 2023 All-Star Game.
FAQs
A. Johnny Gaudreau signed a seven-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 13, 2022.
A. Johnny Gaudreau was not traded. He joined the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent. His decision to join Columbus was to live closer to his family. Despite other high-paying offers, he decided to join the Blue Jackets.
A. The Calgary Flames offered a high-paying 10 million eight-year contract to Johnny yet he decided to join the Columbus Blue Jackets.
A. He made a base salary of $7,750,000 for the 2022-2023 season. Johnny is set to earn a base salary of $7,750,000 for the 2023-2024 season.
A. Johnny Grudreau was selected by the Calgary Flames in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and he joined the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022. So, he has played with the Flames and currently playing with the Jackets in the NHL.
