The NHL public relations department sends emails to members of the media every day. Some are important, others you can just skip but this morning’s version of its daily “Morning Skate” email is one nobody will skip.
From as long as I can recall, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the league 32 fandoms come together as they did when the tragic death of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were announced. The brothers had gone on a bike ride during what was their sister’s wedding weekend when tragedy struck. An allege drunk-driver ran them over killing them both instantly.
In the hours following the events, the rumour mill started with everyone anxiously waiting for confirmation of the news before allowing themselves to believe it. Calgary Flames fans were crushed, their team had raised Johnny from a put and he thrilled them for eight years before moving over to the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent. A family man, he wanted to get nearer to his family on the east coast and he got to enjoy two seasons with them before tragedy struck. The Jackets fans felt like they were in a never-ending nightmare having lost Matiss Kivlenieks back in 2021 in a freak fireworks accident.
This morning’s email by the NHL PR department looks back at the life and times of the Gaudreau brothers but also at what has been happening since their untimely passing. There’s a section with reactions from players, but also a paragraph about former Montreal Canadiens forward Sean Monahan:
Online tributes from former teams, fans, star players from other leagues also honored the lives of Matthew and Johnny, with their respective No. 21 and No. 13 at the forefront of many tributes – and Johnny’s No. 8 jersey being retired by his USHL team. Johnny’s wife, Meredith, engaged with many social media tributes and shared memories through her own posts, including one dedicated to “John’s favorite guy in the world.” Paired with a video of Johnny talking about his friendship with Sean Monahan, who signed with the Blue Jackets in July, Meredith posted: “It’s been really hard watching hockey start up and seeing how different my life is now. My whole life was taking care of John and our kids. It’s all I ever wanted. But watching Sean wear CBJ is something I know John always, always wanted. Noa loves cheering for Uncle Sean too. Wishing 23 a good training camp and can’t wait to cheer you on.”
Everyone in the league will have a very heavy heart as the season opens without Johnny Gaudreau’s fabulous smile and tremendous skills, but it will no doubt be even harder for Monahan who was excited to sign with Columbus this Summer and join his former Calgary teammate in Ohio, hoping to recreate their magic.
© David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
If there’s one thing this Summer has taught everyone it’s that we all have a limited time on this earth and we should make the most of it while we’re here. NHL players will all be wearing a 1321 decal behind their helmets to honour the brothers’ memories.
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