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. The Pacific Division beat the Atlantic Division 1-0. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - John Scott had a transformative weekend at the NHL All-Star Game, and he hopes it might help him land another job in or out of the game.
"I'd like to think I opened a few doors," he said.
The journeyman enforcer went from improbable All-Star to MVP of the league's midseason showcase Sunday while captaining the Pacific Division to a 1-0 win in the championship game a 3-on-3 tournament.
"It worked out for everybody," Scott said.
Yes, it did.
The NHL got a memorable moment on a major stage, and Scott went from being a relatively unknown hockey player to an athlete that perhaps transcends the sport.
"You can't make this stuff up," he said.
The 33-year-old Scott was voted into the All-Star Game by fans even though he had scored just five goals with six teams in his eight-year career. He played for the Arizona Coyotes when he was named an All-Star, but was later stunned by a trade to Montreal, which sent him to its American Hockey League affiliate in Newfoundland.
Scott wrote last week that someone from the league tried to talk him out of playing in the game and asked if his two kids would be proud of him if he did. That strengthened his resolved to show up.
Jeremy Roenick, a former NHL player and current TV analyst, was very vocal in his opposition to Scott being an All-Star. Roenick changed his opinion after seeing the fun-loving enforcer handle his newfound fame and captivate the crowd.
"I was one of the most critical people of him coming and I don't think it could've worked out better for him, or the league," Roenick told The Associated Press. "I have no problem eating crow. It was a great story. I clapped for him at the end."
Roenick wasn't alone.
The crowd in Music City roared when Scott was named MVP, and he pointed at himself with his left glove as if to ask, "Who me?"
Yes, you.
Scott wasn't one of the three choices fans were given for the MVP award, but the league said he got an "overwhelming," number of votes via Twitter.
The 6-foot-8, 260-pound forward was hoisted onto the shoulders of his teammates while the fans chanted "M-V-P! M-V-P!" and the NHL finally got out of the way.
He scored twice during the tournament, bringing cheers from fans and smiles from teammates who relished every moment along with the gentle giant with a goofy grin and a likable demeanor.
His helmet is headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, and his name was trending on Twitter in the United States soon after the game.
"I'm sure he won over a lot of people," Chicago Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane said. "And, got even more fans."
He strongest support group is about to grow by two.
Scott's wife, Danielle, is 37-weeks pregnant with twins that are to be induced this week in Michigan while he is off during the AHL's All-Star break.
"I feel like I'm dreaming," she said. "I can't even believe this it's happening. It's just so crazy to see him get all that support from so many people. It's just so nice for people to see who he is. He has been portrayed in the media for so long as this nasty guy. And, he really isn't."
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AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker contributed to this report.
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Follow Larry Lage at http://www.twitter.com/larrylage
Pacific Division forward John Scott carries his children onto the ice after being named most valuable player in the NHL hockey All-Star championship game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division beat the Atlantic Division 1-0. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Associated Press
Pacific Division forward John Scott looks into the stands during the NHL hockey All-Star championship game against the Atlantic Division Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division won 1-0 and Scott was named most valuable player. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Pacific Division forward John Scott, center, is named most valuable player after the NHL hockey All-Star championship game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division beat the Atlantic Division won 1-0. Scott was elected as captain of the Pacific Division while with the Arizona Coyotes. He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens and he is now with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate in Newfoundland. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Pacific Division forward John Scott (28) is lifted up by teammates Mark Giordano (5), of the Calgary Flames, Joe Pavelski (8), and Brent Burns (88), of the San Jose Sharks after they defeated the Atlantic Division team 1-0 at an NHL hockey All-Star championship game, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division won 1-0. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Associated Press
Pacific Division forward John Scott (28) celebrates with his teammates after they defeated the Atlantic Division team 1-0 at an NHL hockey All-Star championship game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division won 1-0. Scott was named most valuable player. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Associated Press
Pacific Division forward John Scott, center, is named most valuable player after the NHL hockey All-Star championship game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division beat the Atlantic Division won 1-0. Scott was elected as captain of the Pacific Division while with the Arizona Coyotes. He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens and he is now with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate in Newfoundland. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Pacific Division forward John Scott, right, is cheered by teammates as he is named most valuable player after the NHL hockey All-Star championship game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division beat the Atlantic Division won 1-0. Scott was elected as captain of the Pacific Division while with the Arizona Coyotes. He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens and he is now with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate in Newfoundland. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Atlantic Division forward Dylan Larkin (71), of the Detroit Red Wings, falls to the ice while attempting shoot the puck past Pacific Division goalie John Gibson (36), of the Anaheim Ducks, and forward Taylor Hall (4), of the Edmonton Oilers, during the NHL hockey All-Star championship game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division won 1-0. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Associated Press
Atlantic Division goalie Roberto Luongo (1), of the Florida Panthers, stops a shot by Pacific Division forward Daniel Sedin (22), of the Vancouver Canucks, from crossing the goal line with his legs during the NHL hockey All-Star championship game, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Associated Press
Pacific Division defenseman Drew Doughty, left, of the Los Angeles Kings, celebrates with forward Corey Perry (10), of the Anaheim Ducks, after scoring a goal against the Central Division team during an NHL hockey All-Star semifinal round game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division team won 9-6. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Associated Press
Pacific Division goalie John Gibson (36), of the Anaheim Ducks, stops a shot against the Central Division team as defenseman Brent Burns (88), of the San Jose Sharks, waits for the rebound during an NHL hockey All-Star semifinal round game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division team won 9-6. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Associated Press
Pacific Division forward John Scott (28) pretends to fight with Central Division forward Patrick Kane (88), of the Chicago Blackhawks, during an NHL hockey All-Star semifinal round game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division team won 9-6. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Associated Press
Pacific Division forward John Scott (28) takes the puck down the ice after checking Central Division forward Patrick Kane (88), of the Chicago Blackhawks, during an NHL hockey All-Star semifinal round game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press
Pacific Division forward John Scott carries his children onto the ice after being named the most valuable player in the NHL hockey All-Star games Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Pacific Division beat the Atlantic Division 1-0. Scott was elected as captain of the Pacific Division while with the Arizona Coyotes. He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens and he is now with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate in Newfoundland. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press