CALGARY, Alberta — Watching the Hobey Baker Award-winning play of Johnny Gaudreau last season at Boston College, many asked whether the gifted but small Gaudreau could succeed at the NHL level. Even he — listed a tad generously at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds — wasn’t sure.

But the 21-year-old certainly answered that question. He had an assist in the Calgary Flames’ 4-3 overtime win against the Bruins last night, giving him 43 points (15 goals) and a plus-7 rating in 56 games. His play earned him a spot in the recent NHL All-Star Game and makes him a contender for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie.

“It’s definitely been a happy surprise,” Gaudreau said. “I was just trying to make the team at first and make as many plays as I could, try to help out offensively. Getting to play (with Sean Monahan and Jiri Hudler) you get so many scoring chances every game. I’m really fortunate to have the linemates I have.”

Gaudreau said his experiences at the tail end of last season helped prepare him for this year. Turning pro after BC’s season ended, the New Jersey native played one game with the Flames (and scored a goal), then played for Team USA at the World Championships (10 points in eight games).

“Playing that game last year and going over to the World Championships and getting to play with a lot of NHL guys, that really helped me a lot,” he said. “I think that was really, really crucial for me. It made me more ready coming to training camp. I thought before I went into that tournament, however well I did, or how poorly, would be an indication of whether I would be able to come here and make the team.

“I had a good tournament. I played with really good guys. They really helped me out, and since that things kind of took off. It’s been a pretty cool year.”

Like so many undersized hockey players, Gaudreau has made a habit of proving his critics wrong.

“Growing up I tried never to think that I couldn’t do anything just because of my size,” he said. “I always tried to keep that out of my mind and just play the way I’ve played my whole life. It’s definitely a challenge being a smaller guy. You’ve just got to be quicker and faster than everyone.”

Gaudreau hasn’t hit a wall as he adjusts to the far longer pro schedule, and is excited to be in a playoff hunt.

“You’re always looking at the standings — you’re up, you’re down, you’re up,” he said. “It’s pretty cool to be a part of something like this.”

And he stays tuned in to the fortunes of the Eagles, for whom his younger brother, Matt, is a sophomore forward.

“If I were still there, this would be my senior year,” he said. “I talk to those guys all the time. I’m just hoping they’re going to make the NCAA tournament.”

Gaudreau, though, moved on. And answered all his doubters.