Flames' Gaudreau 'never thought' he would have 30-goal season

Despite being told he was too small to play hockey since childhood, Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau keeps putting up big numbers.

The 22-year-old scored his 30th goal of the year in just his second NHL season Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers, and the diminutive winger is just as surprised by his production as anyone.

"I never thought I was going to score 30 goals in the NHL," Gaudreau admitted, according to Postmedia's Kristen Odland. With the power-play marker, the 5-foot-9 New Jersey native became the 24th player in Flames history to reach the 30-goal mark in a season.

He also became just the second Flames player to score 30 at age 22 or younger, joining his linemate Sean Monahan, who scored 31 goals last season at age 20.

After putting up 64 points in his rookie campaign, Gaudreau is averaging close to a point per game this season, and is currently tied for seventh in league scoring with 75 points in 76 games.