Flames Plans For Gaudreau Memorial Items Unveiled

The Calgary Flames had about 13 days to figure out what they would do with the impromptu memorial at the Saddledome following their touching vigil at the site where Flames fans honoured and remembered their hockey hero and his brother following their tragic passing.

The franchise must have used every minute wisely. The plan they unveiled on Monday was flawless, making use of every single piece of the memorial in some way to pay tribute to the Gaudreau brothers in new ways.

It was an impressive outpouring of love for the Gaudreau family, and the Calgary Flames organization will be creating a digital memory book that includes photos of all the chalk messages and drawings, posters, personal letter and posters.

But the thought put into ways of preserving or meaningfully recycling the other items was truly impressive. With the many hockey sticks left at the Saddledome stairs, the team is planning to have stick benches built to use in fundraising efforts for local charities. Each will include a plaque reading 'In memory of Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau.'

Many bags of Johnny's favourite candy — Skittles — were left there. The team said in its release that any edible items no longer fit for consumption will be counted, and the Flames "will make a commensurate financial contribution to the Calgary Food Bank."

Related: Jaromir Jagr Recalls Memorable Johnny Gaudreau Moment with Flames

KidSport Calgary and the many kids in need of more access to sports will benefit from the purple Gatorade, with all the plastic beverage containers donated to the KidSport recycling program.

Stuffed toys are going to Parachutes for Pets, a popular charity with Mikael Backlund and MacKenzie Weegar as spokespeople. Their Lily and Dexter Legacy program helps children in care stay with theri pets through support with physical items or vaccines and licensing.

Blankets will be made from the many jerseys left at the monument, and those will be donated to local charities as well.

Organics like flowers will be sent to compost. The plan for the soil from these is to deposit some in the earth at community parks across the city, where so many young hockey hopefuls pretend to be Johnny Gaudreau scoring in overtime in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Flames franchise will certainly continue to find ways to pay their respects to the Gaudreaus and remember Johnny fondly. This plan is an incredible start.

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