Fans turn Scott into MVP of NHL All-Star Game

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — John Scott sat on his teammates shoulders while fans chanted “M-V-P! M-V-P!” and the NHL finally got out of the way.

The people spoke up for Scott once again Sunday night, making the career journeyman enforcer an All-Star MVP as a write-in candidate after voting him into the new 3-on-3 All-Star tournament as captain of the Pacific Division.

Scott scored twice during the tournament, bringing cheers from fans and smiles from teammates who relished every moment along with the gentle giant and his goofy grin. Scott captained the Pacific to a 1-0 win in the championship.

“It’s just another one on the list of stuff that I cannot believe is happening,” Scott said of being picked as MVP. “I never in a million years would have believed I was at an All-Star Game, the fans would be behind me like that and score two goals in a game. You can’t put it into words. You can’t write this stuff. It’s unbelievable.”

Now Scott’s helmet is headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, and his name was trending on Twitter in the United States after a night when he wasn’t listed among the three MVP candidates for a social media vote late in the final game.

The NHL did not release details, but fans took it upon themselves to select him once again, in an overwhelming vote for the 6-foot-8 forward with five goals in 285 career games.

“I’m sure he won over a lot of people, and got even more fans,” Chicago forward Patrick Kane said of Scott.

Fans at Bridgestone Arena booed the MVP options when announced and yelled for Scott, who wrote last week that someone with the NHL tried to talk him out of coming. He seemed a bit stunned as he soaked everything in, from teammates lifting him on their shoulders while fans chanted “MVP!” before Scott was announced as the winner and presented with a Honda Pilot Touring SUV. He also posed with teammates behind their $1 million check.

Scott only got nervous when Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, a former teammate and friend, caught him off guard and helped hoist the reluctant fighter into the air.

“I’m not a very light guy, almost 275 pounds, soaking wet about 300 pounds,” Scott said. “Yeah, nerve wracking, especially (since) Burnzie is such a spaz. Again, just another moment on this weekend I just cannot believe. You really can’t put into words.”

The NHL changed the format after last year’s All-Star Game featured 92 shots and a combined 29 goals for the biggest offensive display in the showcase’s 60-year history. This time, these All-Stars combined for 116 shots and 23 goals.

This event looked much more like the hockey the league plays the rest of the season. Their inspiration was the 3-on-3 overtime approach for a tournament pitting the four divisions against each other in 20-minute games. The winners of the first two games advanced to a third-period championship.

“I broke a better sweat than last year for sure,” Philadelphia Flyer and Metropolitan Division forward Claude Giroux said.

Goalies split the work with a 10-minute portion each and actually got the chance to stop shots rather than be targets in the net. Florida’s Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Quick of the Kings each made great saves to keep the first 10 minutes of the championship game scoreless, and Quick stopped Jagr in the final seconds before intermission.

Scott, the personable enforcer toiling for now in the minor leagues, stole the show.

A fan campaign made Scott captain of the Pacific Division before the Arizona Coyotes traded him Jan. 15 to Montreal, which assigned him to the AHL. He will return to the AHL to Newfoundland in Canada with lots of prizes after fans chose Scott over the finalists offered by the league’s hockey operations — Luongo, Calgary forward Johnny Gaudreau or Edmonton forward Taylor Hall.

Scott’s two goals tied Hall, Daniel Sedin of Vancouver and Nashville forward James Neal for the most goals at this event. Scott’s wife, Danielle, is pregnant with twins due within the next two weeks, and they will be heading to Michigan during the American Hockey League’s All-Star break.

She said this has been overwhelming.

“I jumped up when he scored his second goal, holding my two kids, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God. I better stop and relax,’” she said. “We’d like to have the babies at home.”

Anaheim forward Corey Perry scored the lone goal in the championship at 13:38.

Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang blocked a shot, and Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban sprawled out on the ice to help protect a one-goal lead in the final seconds of the Atlantic Division’s 4-3 win over the Metropolitan. Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop stopped a couple shots by Letang and his Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin inside the final minute to preserve the win.

Goalies also got into the offensive action, taking advantage of more room on the ice. Corey Schneider of New Jersey, Nashville’s own Pekka Rinne, Bishop and Anaheim’s John Gibson all had assists.

Florida forward Jaromir Jagr, captain of the Atlantic Division, skated in his 10th All-Star Game and helped the Atlantic beat the Metropolitan 4-3. Scott’s Pacific beat the powerful Central 9-6 to advance.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.