Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau Wants to be Johnny Hockey Really Bad

Once again proving that it’s all about the marketing, Calgary Flames rookie left wing Johnny Gaudreau has applied in both Canada and the U.S. to trademark and patent the name “Johnny Hockey”. In doing so, Gaudreau is following the lead of Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, who did the same thing for the name “Johnny Football” after he won the Heisman Trophy at Texas A & M in 2013.

Manziel didn’t exactly distinguish himself on the field this season in limited playing time (his off the field antics drew more attention) but Gaudreau is having a pretty good year with Calgary. He has 13 goals and 19 assists in 42 games with the Flames and is a definite contender for the Calder Trophy, the NHL’s version of the Rookie of the Year award. He was the Rookie of the Month for December. Here he is in action against Edmonton on December 27th:

Gaudreau, who came to the Flames after playing college hockey at Boston College, is used to the spotlight; he won the Hobey Baker Award in 2013 as the top college player in the country in 2013.