NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - John Scott, the enforcer fans voted into the NHL All-Star Game, has scored the first goal for the Pacific Division during the 3-on-3 All-Star tournament.

On Jan. 15, the Arizona Coyotes traded Scott to the Montreal Canadiens, who immediately demoted him to the club's AHL affiliate, bringing his All-Star eligibility into question.

So it had to be a bodycheck to the National Hockey League when commissioner Gary Bettman handed Scott an oversized $1 million check on the ice.

Scott wrote in the Players Tribune magazine last week that the National Hockey League tried to dissuade him from participating in the All Star game.

Fans at Bridgestone Arena booed the MVP options given by the league's hockey operations department - Pacific forward Taylor Hall of the Oilers, Atlantic goalie Roberto Luongo of the Panthers and Pacific forward Johnny Gaudreau of the Flames - and yelled for Scott.

John Scott sat on his teammates shoulders while fans chanted "M-V-P!"

John Scott is presented with the check for $1 million after winning MVP at the NHL All Star game.

"Ultimately, Jagr's Atlantic Division team lost 1-0 in the final against the Pacific Division, what he safely assumed must have been an All-Star Game record for fewest goals scored".

The second victory against the Atlantic Division was more of a defensive contest with the game's only goal on Corey Perry's tally in the second period.

Later, after former teammate Patrick Kane scored, John Scott "fought" the Central Division captain.

"Everyone is extremely happy for him", the Kings' Drew Doughty said, expressing a seemingly universal sentiment among the players.

The 6-foot-8, 260-pound Scott was seen as a poor fit for the new 3-on-3 format that emphasizes speed and skill, yet he scored on his first shift at 47 seconds of the Pacific's semi-final game, tipping in a pass from San Jose defenseman Brent Burns. Ryan O'Reilly assisted Aaron Ekblad's goal in the first game, where the Atlantic defeated the Metropolitan 4-3 to advance to the final.

"I think it'll be exciting", Pavelski said upon his selection this month. "I was wrong", Roenick said. "For him to have his family here, and for him to win tournament MVP, I think they can use that auto, so it was just a great experience". It added more intensity as far as guys trying when they had the puck.

It wasn't long into Sunday's NHL All-Star Game before an underrated element missing from past iterations - backchecking, courtesy Patrice Bergeron - made an appearance and already the verdict was in: This is better.

The crowd, who has been cheering for Scott all weekend, roared and gave him a standing ovation.

"I thought Kane did a pretty good job of hanging in there", Benn laughed.