What sparked Johnny Gaudreau's rise as a rookie?

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Before this weekend, when he was part of the NHL's All-Star festivities, the last time Johnny Gaudreau was in Nationwide Arena his head was a mess.

The 21-year-old South Jersey native learned that he was a healthy scratch in the Calgary Flames' sixth game of the season. Gaudreau had gone without a point in the first five.

He wasn't sure if he made the right choice.

Should he really have gone pro?

Would he have been better off going back to Boston College for a fourth year?

Could the healthy scratch mean the Flames intended on sending him down to the American Hockey League?

"That was pretty eye-opening for me," said Gaudreau, the former Gloucester Catholic star. "I think I was pretty nervous of getting sent down there. I went six, seven games without a point or without producing offensively. I came back and was pretty concerned about getting sent down."

Calgary coach Bob Hartley thought a one-game stint in the press box might get the Carneys Point native back on track and he was right.

Next game, Gaudreau had a goal and an assist, including the game-winner in Winnipeg against the Jets. He was the NHL's rookie of the month in December with 13 points in 14 games, including a hat trick, and is second among rookies in points.

"Ever since that game I kind of just took off from there," Gaudreau said. "I was really fortunate."

The phenom dazzled in the summer with Team USA at the World Championships in Minsk, Belarus. He had two goals and 10 points in eight games while being coached by ex-Flyers bench boss Peter Laviolette.

"Just a terrific hockey player," Laviolette said. "He's got such a high skill level and that was my first time experiencing and really getting him. I've said it earlier, when you get to coach someone and watch them from the bench and see their skill level, see them play a two-way game, you get to know them as a person. He comes out aces all the way around. He's a good person. He's a great hockey player. He's a terrific talent."

Even after the tournament, Gaudreau wasn't sure if he should make the leap to the NHL from the NCAA, where the Eagles fans gave him his popular, soon-to-be-trademarked moniker, "Johnny Hockey."

He wasn't sure if he'd even make the club or if he'd be sent down to the Adirondack Flames for his first full pro season.

Not only did he make the team, the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner as the nation's best college player is part of the All-Star festivities. He took part in the breakaway challenge and the relay competition.

"Yeah, it's been a crazy year so far," Gaudreau said.

"I'm really fortunate to be where I'm at today. A lot of help from teammates, coaches, friends, family. A lot of thanks to Boston College for what they helped me become. I'm really fortunate to be here right now."

Gaudreau has gone from not knowing his future with the Flames to being one of their most-valuable pieces. At the All-Star break, he's third on the team in scoring.

"One of the questions for us going into the season as a team was where the offense was going to come from," All-Star Flames defenseman Mark Giordano said. "I think he's provided that for us. I don't think anyone expected him to put up the numbers he's putting up. Just dynamic with the puck, real quick. He's a really small player, but never puts himself in a bad spot, so you can see he's been great for us."

These days, it seems like there's nothing that 'Johnny Hockey' can't do. The next big task for Gaudreau is returning to his roots. The Flames visit Philadelphia March 3. Not far across the Walt Whitman Bridge is Hollydell Ice Arena, where Gaudreau grew up and where his father, Guy, is the hockey director.

"I'm really excited," Gaudreau said. "We get two or three days off there so I'll get to see some family and friends when I head back to Philly. I've got a ton of people coming to the game. People I barely even know saying they brought tickets and they're excited to come see me play. It's gonna be a fun weekend."

Reach Dave Isaac at disaac @courierpostonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @davegisaac.