Watch: Jane Gaudreau breaks down as Calgary Flames announce son Johnny Gaudreau as First Star

Modified Dec 04, 2024 12:47 GMT

The Calgary Flames paid a special tribute to Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau on Saturday during their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. The entire Gaudreau family flew to Calgary to attend the memorable game.

After the Flames secured a 3-0 victory, Johnny Gaudreau was named the game’s First Star. His mother, Jane Gaudreau, was visibly emotional, shedding tears as she witnessed the tribute to her son.

Expand Tweet

In a beautiful gesture, Flames captain Mikael Backlund and alternate captain Rasmus Andersson invited Johnny’s father Guy Gaudreau onto the ice to accept the honor. Johnny’s sister Katie shared the clip of the special moment on her Instagram story.

“He’ll always be the first star. The reason John was so many first stars," Katie wrote on the story.

The night began with both teams taking warm-ups wearing #13 Gaudreau jerseys in honor of Johnny’s legacy. The pre-game ceremony featured Johnny’s parents, Jane and Guy, his sisters, his wife Meredith, and their children, Noa and Johnny Jr., who took part in the ceremonial puck drop. Flames captain Mikael Backlund and Johnny’s close friend Sean Monahan participated in the special face-off.

Calgary Flames unveil special bench in Johnny Gaudreau’s honor

This week the Flames unveiled a special memorial bench made from 27 hockey sticks left at Johnny Gaudreau’s Flames memorial at the Flames Community Arenas in Calgary.

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were killed by a suspected drunk driver who hit them while they were cycling in New Jersey in August. Following the tragedy, fans created a memorial on the steps of the Saddledome, leaving hockey sticks, jerseys, toys, and other mementos, some of the items that were used on the bench.

The bench carries an inscription honoring their memory:

“In Loving Memory of Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau. This bench was handcrafted using hockey sticks left by the C of Red on the steps of the Scotiabank Saddledome in tribute to Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau. May their memory live on forever.”

Johnny’s children, Noa and Johnny Jr. were the first to sit on the bench. The bench, created by a Flames season ticket holder, is one of several initiatives to honor Johnny and Matthew. Additional benches made from the memorial’s sticks will be placed in local arenas.

Expand Tweet

Other items left at the Saddledome memorial are also being repurposed for good causes. Hockey jerseys will be transformed into blankets for charity, stuffed toys will be donated to Parachutes for Pets, and purple sports drink bottles will be recycled for KidSport Calgary. In a unique nod to Johnny Gaudreau’s love for Skittles, the Foundation is donating $0.13 per Skittle left at the memorial totaling $13,723 to the Calgary Food Bank.