'Johnny Hockey' comes home

A HALF-EATEN bag of Skittles was left on the locker stall labeled No. 13, a sign that the player it belonged to was around somewhere.

The Calgary Flames had just returned to Wells Fargo Center in almost full gear from their practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

Reporters walked around the room on one of the longest days of the season, for players and coaches alike, the NHL trade deadline.

But perhaps the safest guy in the dressing room emerged moments later and walked over to his stall, though he didn't return to the bag of Skittles.

Wearing a backward cap, the generously listed 5-9, 150-pound Johnny Gaudreau, a rookie with 15 goals and 29 assists, fulfilled his media obligations on the day before returning to the Wells Fargo ice for the first time since his Boston College Eagles lost in the semifinals of last year's Frozen Four.

Gaudreau, 21, scored a goal in that game. Tonight, he comes to South Philadelphia as a decorated NHL player, a year later, to take on the team he grew up adoring.

"Growing up, I was a big Flyers fan; my family and friends are all Flyers fans," Gaudreau said. "I get to come back and play in front of a whole bunch of family and friends. This is a team that I grew up cheering for, so it's exciting for me."

The week at home, which began after Friday's game, a Flames loss on Long Island, has been everything he hoped for, Gaudreau said. The Flames have been on the East Coast since last Tuesday, when they played the Rangers.

He got to spend a night in his own bed, ate his mom's cheese raviolis on Sunday night, and spent time with friends and family.

But yesterday was even more special. As soon as Gaudreau wrapped up his post-practice routine, he hurried across the Walt Whitman Bridge to his old stomping grounds, Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester City, N.J.

He'd still probably fit in among the student body, but the reason for him going back makes it clear he's far more a celebrity than when he walked the halls in 2010.

Gaudreau's No. 3 jersey was retired yesterday afternoon during a ceremony at the school.

"I got to spend 3 years there and have a lot of good buddies from the school still, and I'm excited to be part of something like that," said Gaudreau, who was born in Carneys Point, N.J.

After his junior year, when Gloucester Catholic went to the state championship and lost, Gaudreau decided to go play for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League - the nation's best junior league.

He then played 3 years at Boston College, where his nickname "Johnny Hockey" swept the nation. He recently applied for a trademark for the name.

Last year, as a junior at BC, Gaudreau tallied 36 goals and 44 assists and was honored with the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey's version of the Heisman Trophy. His collegiate career came to an end at Wells Fargo Center one game short of reaching the national championship, though he did win one at BC his freshman year.

A fourth-round selection (104th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Gaudreau decided to forgo his senior year and leave school right after the Frozen Four to join the Flames.

Of course, he scored a goal in the one game he played last April, on his only shot on net.

A goal in his only game played last season was great, and perhaps a little taste of the organization's future, but did the Flames expect Gaudreau to come to camp, make the team and be one of the league's top rookies this season?

"You always hope," Flames coach Bob Hartley said. "It's as much for Johnny as every other rookie. You don't know. You have to put them on the ice and let them showcase their talent. That's what he did. His talent was not really the big question; we knew that he had lots of talent. It was how much his size would be a factor and, could he play two-way hockey? He's been great.

"We don't put young players on the ice just for fun. We believe in young players. We made a commitment to rebuilding this organization and that had to go through playing young players. Johnny's deserved everything that he's got so far."

Gaudreau is still a longshot at this point to take home the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league's best rookie. Nashville's Filip Forsberg leads all rookies with 52 points and a plus-14 rating.

But to Gaudreau, just being in this position has been enough. He was a late addition to the All-Star Game in January, when he tallied two assists.

"It's been a lot of fun. I'm really fortunate," Gaudreau said. "Every day, I'm learning more and getting more experience and feeling more comfortable. It's been an exciting year so far."

The excitement isn't just limited to him and his family. The situation is quite similar to when Mike Trout had half the population of Millville in Citizens Bank Park last summer. On top of the 30-person suite Gaudreau's parents, Guy and Jane Gaudreau, have purchased, many other folks from South Jersey will be in attendance.

Hollydell Ice Rink in Gloucester County, where Gaudreau's dad is the hockey director, will close its doors today at 5 p.m. because everyone wants to go see their hometown kid.

"Johnny Hockey" is home.