Flames honor Gaudreau family in emotional tribute game

Flames Honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in Emotional Tribute Game

CALGARY, Alberta — It was a night filled with emotion, memories, and a deep sense of loss as the Calgary Flames paid tribute to one of their most beloved former players, Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother, Matthew. With the Gaudreau family in attendance, the Flames delivered a heartfelt ceremony and a commanding performance on the ice, shutting out the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-0 in a game that was as much about remembrance as it was about hockey.

The Gaudreau family, including Johnny’s parents, Guy and Jane, his wife, Meredith, and his sisters, Katie and Kristen, made the trip to Calgary for the special occasion. Guy Gaudreau even joined the Flames for their Monday practice ahead of the game, a touching moment that underscored the close bond between the family and the organization.

A Night to Remember

Before the puck dropped, the Flames held a moving pregame ceremony that included a video tribute to Johnny Gaudreau, affectionately known as “Johnny Hockey.” The video, shared on the Flames’ social media accounts, featured a poignant quote from Gaudreau: “I hope the people of Calgary can remember me not only as a hockey player, but also a good person with good values.”

Guy Gaudreau took center stage for the ceremonial puck drop, a moment that brought the crowd to its feet. The ceremonial faceoff featured Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan and Flames forward Mikael Backlund, two players who shared the ice with Johnny during his career.

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau tragically lost their lives on August 29 when they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles on a rural road. The incident occurred on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding, adding another layer of heartbreak to the family’s story. The driver has been charged with two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

On the Ice: Flames Dominate

While the night was heavy with emotion, the Flames delivered a stellar performance on the ice. Goals from Rasmus Andersson, Kevin Bahl, and Yegor Sharangovich secured the 3-0 victory over the Blue Jackets. Flames goaltender Dan Vladar was a wall in net, making 16 saves to earn the shutout. Vladar also paid his own tribute to the Gaudreau brothers, wearing a special mask in their honor.

“I just wanted to do something to tribute Johnny and Matthew,” Vladar said last month. “Johnny was a very good friend to us and we all miss the boys a lot.”

Meredith Gaudreau’s Emotional Return

For Meredith Gaudreau, returning to Calgary was both heartwarming and bittersweet. Speaking to Sportsnet, she revealed that she had gotten her late husband’s signature tattooed on her right wrist and forearm during the visit. “I thought it would be cool to say that I did that in Calgary because that is where his autograph really took off,” she said. “It’s like, this is where it all began.”

Meredith also expressed her gratitude to the Flames’ fans, who have continued to show their support for the family. “Everyone has been so warm,” she said. “It feels almost like you’ve never left when you are here for a couple days, so many familiar faces. And, you know, spent so much time here, so a lot of good memories.”

She became emotional 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.”

Flames’ Special Tributes

The Flames went above and beyond to honor their former star. During pregame warmups, the players wore jerseys with Gaudreau’s name and number. Flames fans also got to witness a touching moment when the Gaudreau family performed the ceremonial faceoff, a gesture that symbolized the deep connection between the family and the Calgary community.

Key Moments from the Tribute Game:

• Video tribute featuring Johnny Gaudreau’s heartfelt quote.
• Guy Gaudreau leading the ceremonial puck drop.
• Flames players wearing Gaudreau’s name and number during warmups.
• Dan Vladar’s special tribute mask honoring Johnny and Matthew.

Johnny Gaudreau spent the first eight of his 10 full NHL seasons with the Flames, where he became one of the league’s top players. He signed with the Blue Jackets as a free agent and played his final two seasons in Columbus. His legacy, however, remains deeply rooted in Calgary, where he left an indelible mark both on and off the ice.

As the Flames skated off the ice with a victory, the night served as a powerful reminder of the impact Johnny Gaudreau had on the city of Calgary and the hockey world. It was a fitting tribute to a player and a person who will never be forgotten.