CALGARY, Alberta – The Calgary Flames paid tribute to longtime star Johnny Gaudreau before their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, months after the All-Star was killed while cycling on a New Jersey road this summer.
Known as “Johnny Hockey,” Gaudreau played the first eight of his 10 full seasons with Calgary, where he developed into one of the NHL's best players. He spent his final two seasons with the Blue Jackets.
Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed Aug. 29 when police said they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles on a country road on the eve of their sister Katie's wedding. The driver who police say hit her has been charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter, as well as reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Calgary hosted several members of the Gaudreau family, including Johnny's father, his wife Meredith and their two children, and his sisters.
Meredith Gaudreau opened up about her emotional return to Calgary, telling Sportsnet that she got her husband's signature tattooed on her right wrist and forearm to mark the visit.
“I thought it would be cool to say I did it in Calgary because his autograph was really well received there. It’s like it all started here,” she said.
She said she was excited to see the fans and wanted them to see her children.
“Everyone was so welcoming,” she said. “It almost feels like you've never left when you're here for a few days, so many familiar faces. And, you know, I spent so much time here, so a lot of great memories.”
The Flames' tribute to their former star began before the puck dropped, as players wore Gaudreau's name and number on their jerseys during pregame warmups. There was a celebratory duel with Sean Monahan of the Blue Jackets and Mikael Backlund of the Flames, as well as the Gaudreau family.
Meredith Gaudreau cried as she thanked Calgary fans.
“They were great,” she said, wiping away tears. “I read all the news. … I still feel like it's a home away from home, so it's just really nice. The opportunity to be here and have the fans watching the kids and there's a lot of people I'm going to see tonight. I’m really happy to be here.”
