Fans vote enforcer John Scott the NHL All-Star most valuable player

Scott, a veteran journeyman enforcer was a write-in candidate for MVP of the first NHL All-Star Game featuring the new 3-on-3 format.

Unlikely NHL All-Star John Scott hams it up after scoring a goal Sunday en route to winning MVP honors.

Pacific Division forward John Scott kisses his wife after being named most valuable player in the NHL hockey All-Star championship game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn.

Even though the entire saga had its share of critics and there was some doubt that he wouldn’t even be eligible due to a trade two weeks before the game, and even though he isn’t your traditional “All-Star” kind of player, Scott was most certainly the star of the weekend. And it was finally requited: Scott, whose All Star trip had once been blocked, scored two goals to help the Pacific team win the All-Star 3-on-3 tournament (and a $1 million prize). But I think a 3-on-3 format, if you’re not trying you’re going to be pinpointed, so I think everyone was definitely trying…

Teams representing the Metropolitan and Atlantic divisions faced off in the first 20-minute, three-on-three game, and they were tentative while they figured out how to pace themselves. “You can’t put that into words”.

Two goals from James Neal and one by Roman Josi were not enough for the Central, which lost 9-6 to the eventual champion Pacific Division in the first round of the 3-on-3 tournament that capped four days of festivities in and around Bridgestone Arena. In an article from the Players Tribune, Scott said someone from the National Hockey League told him, “Do you think this is something your kids would be proud of?” He obviously has no business being in the game, based on what he has done this season (one assist, 25 penalty minutes in 11 games) or his career (5 goals, 6 assists, 11 points and 542 penalty minutes in 285 games).

Fans sent enforcer John Scott to the NHL All-Star Game by voting him captain of the Pacific Division. Teammates lifted him on their shoulders while fans chanted “MVP!” and then Scott was announced as the victor and presented with a Honda Pilot Touring SUV. “I love this city and thanks so much”.

Claude Julien had some high praise for a player that he described as essentially one-dimensional just three seasons ago after the Loui Eriksson situation. “I didn’t mean to hit him with that check but he was coming at me from an angle I couldn’t avoid so I went through with it”.

But fans were outraged and the uproar on social media created a tidal wave of support for Scott and avalanche of hatred toward the National Hockey League. He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens and he is now with the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Newfoundland.

As for the All-Star weekend itself, well Scott embraced that about as well as he could. It was different, and there was the possibility of teammates playing against one another in the All-Star Game seemed intriguing. “I’m sure it was a great experience for him this whole week”. She retreated back to home base in MI with their two daughters in tow and nine months pregnant with twins. You not only came to play, you showed you belonged.

In the end, the hockey gods evened things up and Scott had his revenge. They had dominated against the Central, but with players from a hot Florida Panthers, and Boston Bruins team they were to be the underdog again.