PENTICTON, B.C. - Johnny Gaudreau has a single NHL game under his belt, but hes already earned a very catchy nickname.Known as Johnny Hockey in an homage to Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel and the Johnny Football brand, the slick Calgary Flames prospect is turning heads because of his moves, and his moniker.(The nickname) is kind of cool, unless youve got (teammates) tweeting from my Twitter that I am Johnny Hockey and no one knows its them tweeting it, said Gaudreau. Thats probably one of the downfalls of it, but other than that its something special and unique.Generously listed at five foot nine and 160 pounds, the native of Carneys Point, N.J., is special and unique in his own right, and those talents were on full display at the recent rookie tournament hosted by the Vancouver Canucks.The shifty Gaudreau caused a minor uproar in the hockey world with an outrageous goal against the Winnipeg Jets prospects where he undressed a helpless defenceman before roofing a spectacular backhand.A video of the play was posted online within minutes and had social media buzzing. Its something special you get to have, Gaudreau said modestly. I made a nice little play there and got the shot off. I was fortunate to have it go in the net and have a whole bunch of people talk about it.Drafted 104th overall back in 2011, Gaudreau took a different route than many prospects at the rookie tournament — which included prospects from the Edmonton Oilers, Flames, Canucks and Jets. He played three years at Boston College, finishing with an eye-popping 36 goals and 44 assists in just 40 games last season to win the Hobey Baker Award as the top collegiate player in the U.S.The 21-year-old has great vision on the ice and seems to have the puck on a string at times, but said his size has always been an issue.With every small player you definitely need to show people you can play, said Gaudreau. Because youre a smaller guy youre at a disadvantage and you need to be better offensively, defensively, at making plays and stuff like that. Its every small guys problem.Other players at the rookie tournament took notice of his talents, including Oilers draft pick Leon Draisaitl, who played against Gaudreaus U.S. team as a member of the German squad at the world championships this spring.Hes small, tiny, and probably one of the most skilled guys Ive ever seen, said Draisaitl. That game we played against him he had four points against us and was by far the best player on the ice.A fan of the Philadelphia Flyers growing up, Gaudreau said he was inspired by the likes of Daniel Briere and Martin St. Louis because of how they excelled in a big mans game.Its hard not to have them as your favourite players when theyre successful in the NHL as smaller guys, said Gaudreau. Its someone you look up to and you watch in your career and want to become like.Gaudreau, who scored a goal in his only NHL game at the end of last season, said his stature worked against him a lot more when he was growing up.I got cut when I was younger a lot ... it sucks but its something you need to overcome, said Gaudreau, who should be at Flames training camp when it starts Thursday. Every players been there, whether youre playing in bantam or in the NHL. Everyone needs to overcome it at some point.As the years went on I felt like I was getting closer and closer. Im pretty fortunate to be here with a ton of great players.Adirondack Flames head coach Ryan Huska led Calgarys prospects team in Penticton and said Gaudreau brings something special every time he touches the puck.Hes got this ability where youre amazed, said Huska. He slows the game down in a positive way. Everybody talks about speeding the game up and how we want to play faster, but theres something to be said for a player that can slow it down.Hes one of those players ... hell bring people to their feet and energy to his bench.Added linemate and 2014 fourth overall pick Sam Bennett: Its amazing. Hes an unbelievably skilled player. Any time you get a chance to play with a guy like that, good things are going to happen.Sean Monahan, the sixth overall pick in 2013, made the Flames last year and it remains to be seen if Gaudreau, Bennett or another Calgary prospect can crack the roster this year for a franchise that is rebuilding and has not made the playoffs since 2009.Its one of the organizations you want to be a part of as a younger guy, said Gaudreau. Management says theres open spots so youve got to go into camp thinking that youre going to be in one of those spots and just try to prove that you belong there.Whether I play in the AHL or the NHL, either or, Im just going to do the best I can and see where that goes.
Cheap Air Max Australia . - Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte sees the commitment to the handoff and cant help but come away impressed.
Cheap Air Max Online . He made that dream a reality Wednesday night. Olt, who grew up in Branford, Connecticut, attended UConn and made a nearly 2 1-2 hour trek to Boston a handful of times to watch the Red Sox, belted a two-run homer, one of four hit by Cubs in a 16-9 rout that completed a three-game interleague series sweep.
http://www.australiaairmax.com/. Raonic, the mens No. 8 seed from Thornhill, Ont., needed more than three hours to overcome Frenchman Gilles Simon 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 and become the first Canadian man into the fourth round at Roland Garros.
Air Max Australia . So heres what I do when I want to get into the baseball mood—I delve into "The Baseball Project".
Cheap Air Max .C. Now hes squarely in the U.S. capital and helping the Washington Wizards playoff drive. John Wall scored 33 points, Gooden got 11 of his 21 in the final quarter and the Wizards overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit for a 101-94 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.TORONTO - Set to make his Raptors debut at home to the 76ers Friday, suiting up for his fourth team in four seasons, Greivis Vasquez has one thing on his mind. Fed up with losing - hes done more than enough of it early in his career - the Raptors new point guard just wants to win. "Im tired of losing," Vasquez proclaimed, shortly after his first practice in Toronto Thursday afternoon. "I think winning just feels so much better. Im not looking be an all-star or anything else like that, right now Im just looking at how I can help my team." "Its all about fit and I think I fit in here." Vasquez, acquired from Sacramento on Monday, was the last of the four new players to arrive in Toronto after being held up in New York for two days getting his paperwork sorted out. He had every reason to be drained, but unlike his three Kings-turned-Raptors teammates a day prior, he did not show it. For him, this trade - his third since coming into the league in 2010 - is an opportunity for a fresh start, a fresh start he may or may not find in Toronto but one he desperately needs. "I just want to play," the Venezuelan-born point guard said. "I just want to be happy, I want to feel like Im enjoying what Im doing and this opportunity is probably going to get that back for me because I was struggling in Sacramento." "Hopefully I stay here for a long time, but you cant control that. Im just looking forward to the opportunity. I think this is really going to be a fresh start for me." Since playing a marginal role on the Grizzlies team that went to the Conference Semifinals in his rookie year, the 26-year-old lost 100 games in two seasons with the Hornets before being traded to the Kings this past summer. Coming off a career season, in which he averaged 13.9 points and 9.0 assists with New Orleans, placing second in most improved player voting, Vasquez never quite found his game in Sacramento. Recovering from offseason ankle surgery, Vasquez was limited in training camp with his new team and struggled, not unlike the Kings themselves, upon his return to the lineup. A class act, Vasquez was very careful to remain thankful and respectful to the Kings organization, however he was very clearly thrilled to move on. "The NBA is all about fit, how you fit with a team," he said. "Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt work. Unfortunately it didnt work in Sacramento, nothing against the franchise or the guys that play there." "Ive (turned) the page," he continued. "I want to play for the Toronto Raptors, I want to win a lot of games and hopefully I play my whole career here." Theres something you dont hear everyday. "Hopefully I play my whole career here," spoken by a player wearing a Raptors logo on his chest. Its a nice sentiment but a bit prematurre for someone whose jersey is hot off the press, for a player who hasnt yet felt the anguish of being a Raptor.dddddddddddd Vasquez wants to win. He thinks they can and he believes they will win. That - whether by design or not - seems like wishful thinking, at least for the immediate future. Masai Ujiri has already shipped out the teams most talented, albeit most flawed player. According to multiple reports, the Raptors general manager is aggressively shopping Kyle Lowry, on the verge of sending his expiring contract to New York, or Brooklyn, or Golden State, or somewhere, wherever. The season of change has just begun but many fans, media-types, league executives and even players believe they know where this is headed. "A lot of people talk about tanking and all that," Vasquez acknowledged, asked if hes willing to be patient and wait for a time in which this team is ready to win. "Ill speak on my behalf, obviously I know players, you know players in this league, Im not going to go out there and just give the ball away and say, hey just score." "I just want to go out there and complete and whether we win or lose at the end of the day you want to feel like you gave everything." Vasquezs presence will win the Raptors a game or two this year, maybe more, whether they like it or not, whether you like it or not. And thats not a bad thing. He is both the perfect player and the perfect person for any organization looking to change their long-suffering culture. On Wednesday veteran Chuck Hayes acknowledged the Raptors long-standing reputation around the league for being a soft team. Having tough-minded players around, winning players, never hurts regardless of where you are in a rebuild. Just ask Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady what Charles Oakley or Alvin Williams meant to their careers. The likes of Jonas Valanciunas, Terrence Ross and even DeMar DeRozan will benefit greatly from playing alongside Vasquez, regardless of whether or not that translates to unwanted victories. Auditioning for his future - hell become a free agent at the end of the season - Vasquez will increase the teams watchability. He and coach Dwane Casey have already spoken about running more pick-and-roll, music to the ears of Valanciunas and Amir Johnson, and his pass-first style of play should bring back memories of Jose Calderon. "Im not going to score 30 points a night but I can get you 10 assists a night," he said. "Its not about how much success you have as an individual. I want to win, thats the bottom line. I had a great season last year and I still got traded, youve got to do things on a winning team and thats what I want to do here." Vasquez wants to win. Whether or not he succeeds in his mission as a Raptor, embrace it and enjoy the ride.
Authentic Nike Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Tennessee Titans Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Washington Redskins Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Arizona Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Denver Broncos Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Green Bay Packers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Los Angeles Chargers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike New England Patriots Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Oakland Raiders Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Seattle Seahawks Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Carolina Panthers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Cleveland Browns Jerseys Cheap Cheap Throwback Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Atlanta Braves Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Baltimore Orioles Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Boston Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Chicago Cubs Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Chicago White Sox Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Cincinnati Reds Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Cleveland Indians Jerseys ' ' '
Autor