Entering this weekend’s NHL All-Star Game, there was a ton controversy surrounding former Chicago Blackhawks forward John Scott. Scott, like current Blackhawk Patrick Kane, was elected by the fan vote as an All-Star Game captain. Scott was then traded out of the Pacific Division, which he was supposed to captain. He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens, and they sent him to the AHL.
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Word leaked out that the NHL and the Arizona Coyotes had asked Scott to bow out of the All-Star Game. Scott, with support from his teammates and fans, chose to play in the game. Some speculated that the trade to the Canadiens was a way for the NHL to take Scott out of the All-Star game.
Well, that plan backfired as NHL fans and writers were outraged that Scott initially was not going to play in the game. The NHL would get it right and let Scott play in the game.This was a real-life feel good story. It had a movi- like feel to it as Scott took the ice.
Captain Scott!#NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/Wak7y3OoHz
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) January 31, 2016
Scott would reward the fans with his play. In the first game, between the Central and Pacific divisions, the Pacific took on the lead on Scott’s first goal of the game. Scott would score a second goal in the game on a breakaway. The fans went crazy! Everyone who was watching the game loved the John Scott story.
How can you not love this? #JohnScott #NHLAllStar
— Reebok Hockey (@ReebokHockey) January 31, 2016
Those are perfect pictures ! ?? #JohnScott #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/45ytu84vE2
— ExpressDunlop (@ExpressDunlop) January 31, 2016
I literally cheered out loud when he scored his second goal. What a fantastic story. #JohnScott
— Trevor Hagan (@wpgphotog) February 1, 2016
The one and only reason I tuned into the #NHLAllStar Game was the #JohnScott story..a feel good story for me. Anyone else?
— Trevor Moore (@TrevorMooreInc) February 1, 2016
John, John, John. My man!!!!#JohnScott #NHLAllStar
— Marty Turco (@mturco35) January 31, 2016
Scott didn’t just score in the first game. He also “leveled” former teammate Kane with a hit and then “fought” with Kane.
[FULL VIDEO] Patrick Kane, John Scott jokingly fight during NHL All-Star Game -- https://t.co/HgnAT9wVzo #HawksTalk pic.twitter.com/WZ2J0WlGdA
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) February 1, 2016
Scott’s Pacific team went on to the final to play the Metropolitan Division.
Will Scott strike again? #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/BVSQOpP09E
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) February 1, 2016
While Scott was not a big of a factor in the second game, his team won 1-0 on a goal from Corey Perry. In the post-game interview with Pierre McGuire, Scott was lifted up on his teammates’ shoulders. The fans and Twitter chanted and tweeted, with #VoteMVPScott trending on Twitter.
#VoteMVPScott #VoteMVPScott #VoteMVPScott #VoteMVPScott #VoteMVPScott #VoteMVPScott #VoteMVPScott #VoteMVPScott #VoteMVPScott #VoteMVPScott
— RMNB (@russianmachine) February 1, 2016
If the score holds, John Scott's share of the winning team's $1 million ($90,909) represents a 15.8% salary increase over his base $575,000.
— Andy Merritt (@A_Merritt) February 1, 2016
You can't write this ending. Like a movie! #JohnScott #NHLAllStar
— Reebok Hockey (@ReebokHockey) February 1, 2016
You deserve this John!#NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/731LZDUfFE
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) February 1, 2016
Scott was selected the All-Star Game MVP, winning a plaque and a new truck, which will be perfect with two new children on the way in addition to the two he and his wife already have.
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It was a great ending to a great story. John Scott, thank you for being better than the NHL.