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John Scott's path to the 2016 NHL All-Star game was an eventful one, but once he arrived in Nashville, there was no question who the main attraction was. Scott was a nice story after fans rallied around him to vote him into the game and the weekend turned into a fairytale ending.
Scott was continually showered with cheers and ovations during both the skills competition and the game. He earned that praise on the ice as well, scoring a pair of goals. Scott was clearly enjoying every second of the weekend. From laughing at Patrick Kane getting booed, to staging a mock fight with Kane during the game, to getting a zing in at Jeremy Roenick who had previously criticized Scott's inclusion in the game.
It was John Scott's world and we were all just living in it.
The entire experience would have been an incredible one if it stopped there. It didn't. As the leading vote getter, Scott served as the captain of the Pacific Division All-Star team. His team went on to win the tournament and take home the $1 million grand prize.
What an unbelievable story! INCREDIBLE!#NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/XTEo50wCaU
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 1, 2016
Oh yeah, Scott was also named MVP. That was a story by itself. The NHL named three All-Star MVP finalists and Scott was not one of them. But, part of the award was a fan vote on Twitter and it turned into a John Scott runaway. A number of NHL teams got into the act too with seemingly the entire Internet flooding Scott with MVP support, just like they did to get him in the game in the first place. It led to a wonderful moment with Scott and his celebrating teammates.
And just when you thought the story couldn't get any better, it did. Scott was joined at the game by family and friends and everyone joined the celebration. Darryl Sutter coached Scott's winning Pacific team. Sutter's son Christopher, who has Down Syndrome, was in attendance and was one of the first to celebrate with Scott.
#HockeyHugs https://t.co/WudDUOS7J4
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 1, 2016
Scott's family was also in attendance and made for an incredible moment. Scott's wife, Danielle, is pregnant with twins and said she had to tell herself to stop celebrating so much after Scott's second goal.
Scott's mom was also there to celebrate.
John Scott's mom reacts to him winning the #NHLAllStar MVP pic.twitter.com/CDdhis615b
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) February 1, 2016
Scott wrapped up the magical experience with his kids, who seemed incredibly proud of their dad despite what the NHL might say.
Family is everything.#NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/ovIRSkYXkn
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 1, 2016
John Scott may never make another NHL All-Star Game. He may not play in another NHL game, period. He made this game though, and there is zero argument he made the most of it. All-Star games can be boring and mundane with players going through the motions. Scott made sure this one was anything but that and was the center of an experience many people will never forget.