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." Manuel Neuer Germany Jersey . The South Africa international, who rejoined the club last month on loan from Tottenham, opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a powerful shot into the roof of the net. Toni Kroos Germany Jersey . Cox started the season with San Francisco, but was released by the team on Nov. 12 before being signed by Seattle, where he appeared in two games and tallied three tackles before being released on Dec. http://www.germanysoccerpro.com/Mats-Hummels-Germany-Jersey/. The Kings paraded the Stanley Cup through downtown Los Angeles on Monday to celebrate their second NHL title in three seasons. Sebastian Rudy Jersey .com) - St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko, Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury have been selected as the NHLs top players for last week. Ilkay Gundogan Jersey . -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with cornerback Kelvin Hayden.ORLANDO, Fla. - The Carolina Panthers believe Steve Smith lost "top-end" speed, a big reason the franchise parted ways with its all-time leading receiver. Speaking publicly for the first time since cutting Smith two weeks ago, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday they had to "move on eventually." "He didnt lose his speed," Rivera said at the NFLs annual meetings. "He lost his top end. Steve still fought and would still find ways to make plays. But as far as the football decision goes, we have to move on eventually. This was an opportunity to do it." Smith wasnt unemployed for very long. He signed a three-year contract with Baltimore about 24 hours after the Panthers released him. Rivera said the desire to give young receivers Marvin McNutt, Tavarres King, Brenton Bersin, Kealoha Pilares and Toney Clemons opportunities factored into the decision. "With Steve around, they may never get that chance to develop," Rivera said. Rivera also made it clear the Panthers intend to select a receiver in the NFL draft in May — and hopefully replace Smith. "The thing we have to all understand is that eventually its going to happen; its inevitable," Rivera said. "In this game, its inevitable. A lot of great ones have moved on and gone on and played a couple of more years somewhere else. For us (Rivera and GM Dave Gettleman), this is a very hard decision. I know Dave anguished over it for several days before the decision was made, and we had a lot of discussions about it. Its one of those things that you have to, at some point, make the move to go forward." The decision was not popular among Carolina fans. A third-round draft pick out of Utah in 2001, Smith made an immediate impact as a rookie, returning the opening kickoff of the season for a touchdown against Minnesota. He became the first Panthers rookie selected to the Pro Bowl, earning that honour as a return specialist. Known for his feisty behaviour on the field, Smith became a dominant receiver over the next 12 seasons. He ranks 19th in the NFL in career receptions. He caught 64 passes for 746 yards and four touchdowns in 2013. Smith is Carolinas leader in receptions (836), yards receiving (12,197) and touchdowns (67).dddddddddddd As productive as Smith was, his fiery personality often rubbed people the wrong way, and some viewed him as a distraction in the locker room. Smith had run-ins with teammates on at least two occasions. He punched out fellow wide receiver Anthony Bright in a film room fight and later socked cornerback Ken Lucas on the field during a practice at training camp in Spartanburg, S.C. On both occasions, Smith was suspended by the team. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said they had few reservations about bringing in the 34-year-old Smith, even with his history and his age. "Chemistry is really important, and its something that I think every team should be working really hard to try it build," Harbaugh said in Orlando. "It starts with the type of person that you bring in as a coach and then as a player. But through our investigations, I guess you can call it, we came away feeling really good about the impact Steve is going to have on our team that way. "Hes a tough competitor. Hes a mature, grown man. Hes a family man. Hes a man of faith. I think the world of him." The Panthers signed veteran Jerricho Cotchery to a two-year contract, giving them some experience at the position after releasing Smith and seeing Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Domenik Hixon leave in free agency. Rivera insisted the team will miss Smith, even though hes not the player he was in his prime. "Hes got a lot of football left," Rivera said. "Hes still explosive. ... He practices so hard. He competes so hard. I think hes at the point now where he has to manage himself and know that, Hey, I cant practice every day like that. "Steve has a lot to prove. Hes got that chip on his shoulder going forward. I know hes going to be 35, but I still know hes going to be a very competitive guy. Hes going to will himself to do some things. But I think as the season wears on, if he hasnt taken the time that hes needed off between the games, he might slow down. But he still has some gas in the tank." ___ Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '