"Obviously this is first time here (since signing with the Flames),'' said the Swift Current Broncos' centreman, hours before facing the Calgary Hitmen. "So there's definitely a bit more of … I don't know how to describe it properly, a 'home' feel now.
"This is the rink I want to play in as an NHLer.
"So I'm hope to spend a lot of time here in the years to come."
On Nov. 16th, two and a half months after extending an invite to their main camp and the Young Stars tournament in Pentiction, the Flames inked the 20-year-old Gawdin, an unsigned fourth-round draft selection of the St. Louis Blues in 2015, to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Right now, the 6-foot-1, 191-pound pivot is positioned third in Western Hockey League scoring, accumulating 56 points in 28 games for the 20-6-2-0 Broncs.
"To be honest,'' admits Swift Current boss Emanuel Viveiros, "we were surprised he came back to our hockey club this year. Of all our kids, as a 20-year-old he's the most pro-ready.
"Puts the work in. Great leader, on and off the ice. Understands the importance of taking care of his body and getting rest.
"Just a real mature young man.
"We're certainly not surprised Calgary stepped up and signed him. A lot of teams were after him. There's a lot to be said for our team but I'd say he's one that 'drives the bus', so to speak.
"He does everything for us. Our first-line top offensive guy. Our first-line defensive player in key situations, as well.
"Calgary's got a real good prospect coming up, for sure."
So why, with multiple options available, settle on the Flames?
"Just the familiarity from being here at camp,'' Gawdin replies. "Obviously having a bit of a feel for the situation and the organization. This being a Canadian team. The identity they've created, that we talked about at camp. The interest Brad Treliving took throughout the process. Getting couple calls from Glen (Gulutzan), too, and even Brian Burke.
"Made the decision pretty easy."
The pro-readiness Viveiros speaks of, a commitment, to is reflected in Gawdin's plus-minus, a WHL-topping plus-29 heading into Monday night's fracas.
"He's always,'' says his coach, "full speed. One thing we told him coming back to junior - you've been practicing with NHL players, with American Hockey league players. Try to keep up the same tempo-level here. You stay at that level, you're going to be able to excel. And he's done that.
"Even in practice, where there is a significant speed difference between him and some of our other players, he does. That helps him and helps make everybody else better, too.
"He's focused.
"If he had to be on his own at the pro-level, where it might be, he'd be absolutely fine."
After being drafted 116th overall, Gawdin attended two training camps with the Blues. But things in the Show Me State just never worked out.
"I think injuries early in his career had a lot to do with the way it turned out,'' reasons Viveiros. "They weren't sure what type of player he'd be.
"He knows - and we've had this conversation - if he wants to be an NHL player where he needs to be, what he needs to do. He can put up points in junior hockey but that doesn't necessarily equate to points in the National Hockey League.
"He's got to be a 200-foot player. So that's what he's been concentrating on this last year and a half. That's going to be his ticket.
"He's not going to be a Johnny Gaudreau in the National Hockey League. But he can be a top-six forward, at the very least a top-nine, and a valuable asset to any organization."
Everything, says Gawdin, has worked out for the best.
"I've tried to use the adversity as fuel for my fire. I just tried to come into my 20-year-old season here and kinda prove them wrong.
"Being signed by Calgary … I couldn't be happier. I felt they really were interested in me and in my future in the organization. Everyone wants to feel wanted.
"So it seems like a perfect fit."
