The swirling ways of the hockey world provided the San Diego Gulls a gift to start this season — a 6-foot-3, 226-pound package wrapped in a goalie’s mask, pads and fascinating, fabled potential.

John Gibson has created news in the crease for years.

The Pittsburgh native seemed carved from the city’s classic steel mills, the raw size waiting for ability and technique and polish to catch up. He was ranked the top goaltender in the 2011 draft and named tournament MVP for the gold-medal Americans at the 2013 World Junior championships.

When Gibson agreed to a three-year deal with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks for $6.9 million in late September, it seemed as if he was destined to skate away from the AHL for good. As the season opened, though, Gibson found himself smothering shots in San Diego.

Gibson joining NHL 's net elite NHL GOALTENDING LEADERS (As of Tuesday) Goals-Against Average John Gibson, Anaheim ... 1.90 Ben Bishop , Tampa Bay ... 1.97 Braden Holtby , Washington ... 1.99 C. Hellebuyck, Winnipeg ... 2.03 Shutouts Corey Crawford, Chicago ... 6 Jake Allen, St. Louis ... 5 Gibson (and four others) ... 4 Source: NHL.com

The way ESPN’s Barry Melrose sees it, the Gulls plopped a gift of their own on the 22-year-old’s career doorstep.

“With John, I think it’s been a longer wait than people envisioned,” Melrose said. “He kind of had that can’t-miss thing going on. He had that ‘next great American goaltender’ talk. I remember hearing about him years ago, when he was 15 or 16.

“It might be good for him that he started in San Diego. It might have brought him down to Earth and made him work harder. Even a guy with talent has to work hard. That could help him character-wise.

“There’s no doubt, though. I think you’re starting to see the finished product.”

The finished product, when healthy, is among the best in the sport.

The Ducks called up Gibson on Nov. 24 as starter Frederik Andersen fought the flu. At that point, Gibson led the AHL in saves (340). In December, the NHL tabbed Gibson its rookie of the month after three shutouts and flashy 1.61 goals-against average.

Gibson, first in the NHL with a 1.90 GAA to start this week, was named an All-Star on Jan. 6 — towing some history along for the ride. He became the second youngest U.S.-born goalie to make the team, following Buffalo’s Tom Barrasso (19 in 1985) and second-youngest Ducks All-Star in history (Paul Kariya, 21 in 1996).

The man who started the season at Valley View Casino Center now is starring — finally and fully.

“I kind of knew that was going to be the situation (playing for the Gulls), coming into the season,” Gibson said in a telephone interview. “I always have said, wherever I am, I just want to play hockey and do the best I can to help the team win. We were fortunate enough to get off to a good start in San Diego.”

Gibson is a rookie by NHL definition only. He finished 13-8 for Anaheim a season ago and played in three games the season before that.

Now, though, poise is pairing with power.

Earlier this month, Gibson’s scoreless streak ended at 184 minutes, 30 seconds — the longest by a Ducks rookie and third-best in club history.

“I don’t really get wrapped up in all that stuff,” Gibson said. “I just worry about playing and contributing the best I can. If that stuff comes it’s obviously nice, but we still have some work to do — and that’s what’s most important right now.”

When the focused Gibson carves time away from his high-stress job that includes 95-mph slapshots flying toward his temples, he ditches the ice — like a true Duck to water.

Gibson sets asides concerns about defending face-offs for fishing.

“Yeah, I’m a big fisherman,” said Gibson, without a thought of being so literal. “Whenever I get time, I’ll fish regardless — freshwater, saltwater, whatever.”

In the lazy Pennsylvania summers, Gibson targets bass. When the appetite for something bigger gnaws at him, he’ll travel to Lake Erie. In the offseason, he’s caught sharks along the Pacific and chased down tuna.

“That’s my thing,” he said. “I’ve never really been a good golfer or anything.”

It’s Gibson, though, who has proved to be the trophy catch for the Gulls and Ducks.

“If you look up NHL goaltender in the dictionary, there should be a picture of John Gibson,” said Melrose, who played against the now-defunct Mariners at the San Diego Sports Arena as part of the World Hockey Association in the late-1970s. “Has the size, the pedigree, he’s won at every level. Great athleticism. Good thinking. Good fundamentals.

“When I think of the very best goalies in the NHL, I don’t think of John yet. By the end of the year, though, that might not be the case. He’s starting to look like the guy the Ducks drafted a few years ago.”

The Gulls, whether or not it clicks yet for Gibson, provided an important piece of his progression puzzle.

“Good organizations like Detroit and those kinds of teams send their kids to the American (Hockey) League for a while,” Melrose said. “It’s good for you to struggle a bit. This will be good for John in the long run. He’ll look back when he’s a solid No. 1 goaltender for the Ducks for a while and realize that.

“He worked. He didn’t pout. He fought his way back.”

Gift-giving can be a frosty, fulfilling two-way street.

On Twitter: @Bryce_A_Miller