Flames prospect Johnny Gaudreau has been chosen as one of five finalists for the ESPY award - ESPN's version of the Academy Awards - as the top male college athlete. The honour is a slam dunk for Gaudreau, an offensive dynamo with 36 goals and 80 points in 40 games for Boston College before turning pro for the Flames season finale. The winger, who'll celebrate his 21st birthday next month, has a legitimate shot to be a full-time NHLer as early as next season. His size is an issue - the Flames are fooling nobody by listing him as 5-foot-9 - but Gaudreau's wizardry with the puck is obvious. After scoring a goal in his NHL debut, Gaudreau joined the U.S. team for the world championships and racked up two goals and 10 points in eight games. "It gave me a lot more confidence," Gaudreau said. "I learned a lot out there playing with NHL guys, playing against NHL guys. Getting to play against (Alex) Ovechkin and (Jaromir) Jagr - I think Jagr was playing in the NHL before I was even born - is something pretty special. I think it's going to help me in the long run."

Johnny Gaudreau produced a goal and three assists to help Team USA defeat Germany 5-4 in preliminary round action at the World Hockey Championship on Tuesday. "It was a fun game," Gaudreau said. "Thanks to my linemates, Abdelkader and Stapleton, two older guys who just help me get better every single day." The 20-year-old Calgary Flames prospect has two goals and 10 points in seven games during the tournament. Gaudreau scored in Calgary's regular-season finale in his NHL debut and he'll be among the favorites to win the Calder Trophy next year.

John Gaudreau will play for Team USA in the 2014 World Championship. Gaudreau had 80 points in 40 NCAA games in 2013-14. He signed an entry-level contract with Calgary and found the back of the net in his only NHL game. This is a great chance for him to gain more experience playing at a high level before he competes for a spot on the Flames' opening game roster.

John Gaudreau scored the Calgary Flames' only goal in their 5-1, season-ending loss to the Canucks in Vancouver on Sunday night. Neither the Flames nor the Canucks qualified for the playoffs in a season to forget for both of these Canadian teams. Gaudreau signed an entry-level contract with the Flames on Friday and made his season debut in Vancouver. Gaudreau was an outstanding college player and could be a wise fantasy choice for next season.

John Gaudreau signed an entry-level contract with the Flames on Friday and he'll make his NHL debut on Sunday in Calgary's season finale. Boston College was eliminated from the NCAA's Frozen Four tournament in a 5-4 loss to Union College on Thursday. Gaudreau enjoyed a spectacular season in 2013-14, where he racked up 36 goals and 80 points in 40 games en route to the Hobey Baker Award. He should be on your radar going into next season.

John Gaudreau's mom wants him to stay at Boston College for his final season. Gaudreau is the favorite to win the Hobey Baker Award that goes to college hockey's best player. The Flames are expected to offer the diminutive Gaudreau a contract once again but Gaudreau could choose to return to college hockey. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in August 2015 and a lot of teams will be clamoring for his signature on a contract but the Flames have treated Gaudreau very well thus far and it's not expected to get that far. He has 35 goals and 75 points in 38 games this season and is expected to be a top six forward in the NHL when he makes it.

Flame prospect John Gaudreau has a 25-game points streak with Boston College at present. He has been nothing short of amazing this season with 51 points over that 25-game span and 58 points overall. Gaudreau who has overachieved as Calgary's fourth-round pick in 2011, is the favorite for the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in the NCAA. Keep an eye on him.