The Calgary Flames have announced their death several months after former NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were tragically killed Tuesday night by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes on a rural road in New York. He later paid his respects before the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jersey from the night before my sister's wedding.
The emotional night began with a ceremonial puck drop that included Gaudreau's parents, Jane and Guy, his two sisters and wife Meredith, and their two children.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (23rd) and Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11th) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome on December 3, 2024. Johnny Gaudreau's family during the ceremonial puck drop. (Sergei Belsky-Iman Images)
Johnny Gaudreau, who played hockey at Boston University with his older brother Matthew and won a national title in 2021, spent most of his NHL career playing for the Flames. He signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets in 2022 worth $68.25 million.
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Tuesday night marked the first meeting between his two former teams since his tragic death on August 29th.
As the Gaudreau family walked to center ice, a fan yelled, “Johnny, Johnny, Johnny!” chanting. Players on the ice wore Gaudreau's name and number on their jerseys during pregame warmups.
Johnny Gaudreau's family during the puck drop ceremony before the game between the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Dec. 3, 2024. (Sergei Belsky-Iman Images)
Johnny was also given the honor by being named the first star of the game in the Flames' 3-0 win over Columbus. His father was on the ice with Calgary captain Rasmus Andersson to accept the honor.
Blue Jackets pay moving tribute to Johnny Gaudreau in first home game after Columbus' death
During the game, Anderson, a close friend of Johnny's, pointed to his family sitting in the Saddledome box after scoring for the Flames.
“Everyone has been so welcoming,” Meredith said of her emotional return to Calgary. “When you're here for a few days, it almost feels like you've never left. There's so many familiar faces. And, you know, we've spent so much time here and have so many fond memories. .”
Johnny Gaudreau, No. 13, of the Columbus Blue Jackets scores the game-tying goal during the third period of a game against the Washington Capitals on January 31, 2023 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were scheduled to be groomsmen at their sister's wedding in Philadelphia in late August. According to police at the time, the Gaudreau brothers were riding their bicycles on the road the night before their wedding when a drunk driver headed in the same direction tried to pass two other vehicles and rear-ended them.
They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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