The smile on Johnny Gaudreau’s face mirrored the one he wore one night earlier when he scored the game-winner against the Buffalo Sabres.
Only this time his audience was limited to 36 peewee hockey players from Cochrane who received an early Christmas delivery by having their practice at Cardel Rec South punctuated by a surprise visit from the city’s biggest celebrity.
However, seconds after Gaudreau made his way into the dressing room full of unsuspecting 11, 12 and 13-year-olds, he found himself upstaged by his veteran teammate.
“Mason Raymond!” yelled one child as another immediately shouted, “He’s from Cochrane!