Shockingly Tragic and Immeasurably Sad: The NHL Mourns Johnny Hockey

The late-night rumour that former Calgary Flames superstar Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew had been killed while riding their bicycles in New Jersey was one that every hockey fan did not want to believe.

But the silence went too long, and a sleep-challenged evening turned into a tragic morning when the horrific news was confirmed. Friday was supposed to be one of the happiest days for the extended Gaudreau family — gathered to celebrate Katie Gaudreau's wedding. Instead, the family is dealing with unthinkable loss.

If there ever was any doubt that Johnny Gaudreau made the right decision in leaving the Calgary Flames for the Columbus Blue Jackets two years ago, it's evaporated. He made his decision based solely on family — being closer to the parents and in-laws he was separated from during the pandemic, and giving his new and growing family an opportunity to experience the same.

Anyone who had the pleasure of watching John grow up on the Calgary ice is mourning right alongside his wife Meredith, parents Jane and Guy, uncle Jim and the rest of the Gaudreaus and their extended family. They are as authentic and kind as any hockey family I've been around, and life will never be the same.

Related: Former Flames Forward Johnny Gaudreau Passes Away

I still remember in great detail the first day I saw John put on the Flames jersey on the ice at a sports complex in Northeast Calgary. The sweater was wearing him — billowing behind him as he blazed around the ice, puck on a string. What a first impression.

Off the ice he was soft-spoken, shy, and modest. Not much changed in more than a decade with the Calgary Flames organization. He didn't say a lot, but he never avoided an interview, either.

He was the ultimate underdog feel-good story. Undersized but supremely skilled, he found a way to go from healthy scratch to superstar with the Flames. He was a clutch goal-scorer and gifted setup man. More importantly, he was a beloved teammate. His Flames family loved him as much as the Gaudreau family. And surely it was the same in Columbus.

Unfortunately, we'll never get to see his reunion with best friend Sean Monahan, who was signed by the Blue Jackets this summer. We'll never get to see if Gaudreau could help turn another struggling franchise's fortunes around the way he did with the Flames.

He brought fun and excitement back to the Flames locker-room, and to the fans of a franchise that had been somewhat devoid of slick star power since the departure of Jarome Iginla. He gave Calgary so many memorable moments — maybe none bigger than his Game 7 overtime heroics to set up the first playoff Battle of Alberta in three decades.

But it was the post-game hug with Monahan that I'll remember. Johnny Gaudreau always seemed to be able to bring out emotion.

His on-ice influence will be missed. But not as much as the impact he made on people off the ice and away from the rink.

His family first. As it always was.

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