NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Enforcer John Scott scored twice during the NHL’s new All-Star Game 3-on-3 tournament and was named MVP by fans after captaining the Pacific Division to a 1-0 win in the championship Sunday night.
Fans voted Scott into this event, and he scored twice during the Pacific’s first mini-game, bringing cheers from fans and smiles from teammates.
Scott was not listed among the three MVP candidates for a Twitter vote late in the final game, but fans took it upon themselves to select him once again, casting their vote for the 6-foot-8 forward with five goals in 285 career NHL games.
Fans at Bridgestone Arena booed the options and yelled for Scott. Teammates lifted him on their shoulders while fans chanted “MVP!” and then Scott was announced as the MVP and presented with a Honda Pilot Touring SUV.
Scott then posed with his teammates behind their $1 million check.
Earlier, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had said the fans spoke, so Scott is welcome at the 2016 All-Star Game.
Scott said someone at the NHL tried to talk him out of playing in the league’s showcase event Sunday, according to a first-person account Thursday posted by The Players Tribune. Fans voted the 6-foot-8 Scott as captain of the Pacific Division, but Arizona traded him to Montreal and he is now at the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Newfoundland.
Bettman says he had a nice chat with Scott on Thursday night and he’s more than welcome at the All-Star Game. Bettman says the league is happy to reflect the fans’ will.
