Photo Credit: Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images
Last month was a roller coaster for John Scott and his family to say the least. What started as a joke to nominate him for the All-Star Game on a hockey podcast, soon turned Scott into the player of the people when he was traded and met resistance from the NHL to even appear in the All-Star Game.
Fans and players alike showed solidarity and support for Scott when he decided to go to the All-Star Weekend and be excited for this opportunity despite the NHL expressing that he was not meant to be there. When fans saw his excitement and the professional way he handled all the press and the league’s attempt to sway him from participating, he became the most popular and loved player to be in Nashville that weekend. This was evident when the crowd booed Patrick Kane, but cheered the loudest for Scott when the captains were announced.
Scott kept up in the game contrary to some people’s belief that he couldn’t handle it. In fact, he scored two goals and had an assist for the Pacific Division in the semifinal game against the Central Division, which his team won 9-6. He then earned a Gordie Howe hat trick when he and Patrick Kane came together in staged fight. John Scott captained his team to win the final game against the Atlantic division which was a 1-0 shutout victory. To top it off, the fans voted John Scott as MVP, which he definitely deserved.
John Scott’s demeanor and how he handled the NHL and press showed that even though he was a low-scoring enforcer, he deserved to be an All-Star. He showed he is a stand-up guy and deserved all the love and loyalty that his fellow players and the fans gave him.
NBCSN Public Relations reported on Twitter that the 2016 All-Star Game had the highest ratings of any NHL All-Star Games broadcasted on their channel. There is one thing to be certain though. It wasn’t the 3-on-3 tournament format or the celebrity coaches that brought life into the All-Star Weekend. It was John Scott.
Scott wrote a wonderful piece on The Players’ Tribune detailing his recent experience with the trade and NHL as well as his road to becoming an NHL player. Fans can check it out here.
