Johnny Gaudreau shows off a new trick at the World Cup of Hockey

Despite not having an active National Hockey League contract with the Calgary Flames, Johnny Gaudreau is currently with Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto.

Team North America followed the lead of Team Europe, thumping Finland in their opening match-up of the tournament. North America’s second goal, scored by Gaudreau on a really neat tip-in play, needs to be seen to be really appreciated.

After a puck battle in the corner to the right side of Pekka Rinne, the puck goes back to the point to Colton Parayko. Gaudreau, fresh from the puck battle in the corner, heads to the front of the net.

Parayko takes a slap shot from the point. Gaudreau, still moving to the front of the net, gauges the trajectory of the shot and seems to realize that he needs to move to make an effective tip-in attempt.

Gaudreau twists his body so he can attempt a back-handed redirection. In the process, the tip-in is actually conducted while his body is between Rinne’s vision and the puck – so Rinne can’t really see the redirection until it’s too late.

The puck beats Rinne stick-side, as he doesn’t react to the redirection until it’s too late. 2-0 North America.

Gaudreau remains without a contract. With hands like that, he’ll likely command a pretty penny from Flames general manager Brad Treliving. Considering that Gaudreau’s highlight reel plays have typically been nice passing plays or stick-handling exhibitions leading to goals, his willingness to go to the “dirty areas” of the ice and attempt a precision puck redirection may show some hidden depths to his game. Whether it does or not, it was still pretty cool.

A live look at Treliving, watching the proceedings from Penticton: