Flames Honor Johnny Gaudreau, Welcome His Family Back to Calgary in Emotional Pre-Game Tribute
A Touching Tribute to a Fallen Star
The Calgary Flames paid tribute to longtime star Johnny Gaudreau on Tuesday night, months after the All-Star forward was killed in a tragic accident while biking on a New Jersey road this summer.
A Life Cut Short
Gaudreau, known as “Johnny Hockey,” played the first eight of his 10 full seasons with the Flames, developing into one of the NHL’s top players. He spent his last two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
A Family’s Return to Calgary
The Flames welcomed several members of the Gaudreau family, including his parents, his wife Meredith, and their two children, as well as his sisters. The family was visibly emotional throughout the tribute.
Meredith’s Emotional Return
Meredith Gaudreau spoke about her emotional return to Calgary, sharing that she got her husband’s signature tattooed onto her right wrist and forearm. “I thought it would be cool to say that I did that in Calgary because that is where his autograph really took off. It’s like, this is where it all began,” she said.
A Message from the Fans
The Gaudreaus were joined by fans, who wore “We Miss You, Johnny” t-shirts and held signs, showing their love and appreciation for the fallen star.
The Tribute Continues
The Flames’ tribute to Gaudreau continued on the ice, with players wearing his name and number on their jerseys during warmups, and a ceremonial faceoff with the Blue Jackets’ Sean Monahan and the Flames’ Mikael Backlund, along with the Gaudreau family.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Meredith Gaudreau wept as she thanked the fans, saying, “They’ve been amazing. I read everyone’s messages. … I feel like it’s home away from home still, so it’s just really nice. Being able to be here, and having fans see the kids, and there’s a ton of people I’m going to see tonight. I am really happy to be here.”
Conclusion
The Calgary Flames’ emotional tribute to Johnny Gaudreau was a poignant reminder of the impact he had on the team and the community. The outpouring of support from fans and players alike was a testament to the enduring legacy of a truly special player.
FAQs
* What was the cause of Johnny Gaudreau’s death?
Due to a suspected drunken driver while he and his brother were riding bicycles on a rural road.
* What was the reaction of the fans?
Fans wore “We Miss You, Johnny” t-shirts and held signs, showing their love and appreciation for the fallen star.
* What was the tribute to Johnny Gaudreau?
The Flames wore his name and number on their jerseys during warmups, and there was a ceremonial faceoff with the Blue Jackets’ Sean Monahan and the Flames’ Mikael Backlund, along with the Gaudreau family.
