Household of ahead, who died together with brother, Matthew, on Aug. 29, participate in emotional ceremonial face-off
By
Derek Van Diest
@DerekVanDiest
NHL.com Workers Author
CALGARY — Johnny Gaudreau meant a lot to the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, it was becoming that the late ahead was honored each earlier than and after the 2 groups met at Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday.
Of their solely go to to Calgary this season, the Blue Jackets joined the Flames on the ice for a particular pregame tribute to Gaudreau, who alongside together with his brother Matthew, a former professional hockey participant, died Aug. 29 after they have been struck by an alleged drunk driver who has been charged with two counts of demise by auto, whereas driving bicycles close to their house in Salem County, New Jersey.
“There have been so many feelings,” Flames captain Mikael Backlund mentioned. “We have been so excited to see the household, but additionally so unhappy. It’s such a tragedy. It’s so many combined feelings; it’s the primary time I’m coping with it. It’s at all times good to have teammates that have been near Johnny, too, that we will share tales and join with one another.”
Gaudreau was chosen by Calgary within the fourth spherical (No. 104) of the 2011 NHL Draft and performed eight seasons with the Flames earlier than signing with the Blue Jackets as an unrestricted free agent on July 13, 2022. Gaudreau was 31 when he died. Matthew was 29.
“It’s sort of constructing on the legacy of an actual good participant for our staff,” Flames coach Ryan Huska mentioned earlier than the sport. “It’s an opportunity for his household to see how vital they have been for town of Calgary.”
CBJ@CGY: Flames and Blue Jackets honor Gaudreau throughout pregame ceremony in Calgary
Each groups lined up at their respective blue strains and watched a video tribute highlighting Gaudreau’s time in Calgary to a rendition of “Johnny B. Goode” by Flames anthem singer George Canyon.
The Gaudreau members of the family have been particular visitors on the sport.
Johnny’s father Man, mom Jane, spouse Meredith and two kids, together with sisters Kristen and Katie, stepped out to center-ice for a ceremonial face-off. Blue Jackets ahead Sean Monahan, a very good pal of Gaudreau, and Backlund, lined up for the draw with each groups surrounding the household.
“It speaks to our management group, [Monahan] clearly being on prime of that,” Columbus coach Dean Evason mentioned. “Simply conducting himself in an expert method and never shying away from displaying his emotion and utilizing it to maneuver us ahead. To see the household right here and the outpouring of affection and assist of this group, this metropolis and this nation, Canada, has been unbelievable.”
Monahan performed 9 seasons in Calgary and eight with Gaudreau. He signed a five-year contract with the Blue Jackets on July 1, anticipating to be reunited together with his former Flames teammate. The Blue Jackets ahead has been enjoying all the season with a heavy coronary heart.
“That meant loads. I believe loads about him,” Backlund mentioned of Monahan. “For him to maneuver to Columbus to be reunited with Johnny, they have been so excited to get to play with one another. For [Monahan] to should undergo that daily, it’s simply heartbreaking and I believe loads about him. It was nice to share that second with him and present the assist and love for the household.”
©
Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs
Each groups wore Gaudreau’s No. 13 throughout the warmup, which was becoming contemplating the variety of comparable jerseys within the crowd. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson scored the opening aim of Calgary’s 3-0 win at 10:14 of the second interval and pointed as much as the Gaudreau household in attendance.
“I really feel like our staff together with their staff are going by way of comparable issues,” Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski mentioned earlier than the sport. “Simply having the Gaudreau household right here tonight in attendance for this massive sport, I believe it’s actually particular and I believe Calgary goes to do a terrific job with it. It’s going to be emotional, however I believe it’s going to be a terrific night time.”
Andersson and Flames ahead Blake Coleman consoled Man Gaudreau, who grew to become emotional after dropping the puck. A lot of gamers came visiting to greet the household earlier than they walked off the ice to a standing ovation.
These feelings continued after the sport, when the Flames introduced Johnny Gaudreau as the primary star. Man was then led onto the ice by Andersson and Backlund, who embraced him whereas waving to the group.
It was the end result of the previous few days for Man, a former school participant and coach, who had taken the ice with the Flames at follow Monday and was on the non-compulsory morning skate Tuesday, when he hung out on the bench speaking with Calgary legend Lanny McDonald.
“We’ve been lucky to have Man round with us for the final two days,” Huska mentioned. “He’s made me snigger greater than sometimes our trainers and our teaching employees does. He spent loads of time in our dressing room at the moment and I believe his message to our gamers has been an actual good one.”
©
Gerry Thomas/Getty Photographs
Gaudreau will without end be remembered in Calgary.
This summer season, a whole lot of sticks, jerseys and purple Gatorades have been left on the Scotiabank Saddledome steps in reminiscence of Gaudreau after the tragedy. The 229 sticks collected on the impromptu memorial were made into benches and donated to local arenas. The Gaudreau household was in attendance when the primary bench was donated Monday.
“You go on the market and honor him and look again in any respect the recollections that he received to share right here in Calgary,” Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar mentioned. “Simply having his dad round right here was therapeutic for the fellows and I believe himself. On the similar time, we have fun his life, and I believe we make it a particular night time for him and his household and the fellows that basically knew him properly.”
For many who knew Gaudreau finest, it was not simple to place his reminiscence apart and give attention to a sport each groups have been determined to win.
As time ran down in direction of the tip of the sport, and the Flames on their method to victory, followers started chanting, “Johnny Hockey.”
“I used to be trying round and sort of having fun with the second when the household is right here they usually get to listen to it, how liked he was on this metropolis,” Andersson mentioned. “There’s not loads of gamers all through historical past that received that, and I received goosebumps. It was a terrific night time total to see all of them right here, and for them to see how a lot he was liked on this metropolis.”
