Johnny Gaudreau Was Named The First Star In Last Night's Flames vs Blue Jackets Game
Gerry Thomas. Getty Images.This season was always going to be difficult for everybody. But especially so for the Gaudreau family, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Calgary Flames. Individually, all of them have done an inspiringly incredible job of honoring the lives of both Johnny and Matty Gaudreau since the two of them were tragically taken from us. The Gaudreau family has been so strong over the last few months, and seeing how connected to the hockey world they've remained has been special. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames both had beautiful ceremonies to pay tribute to Johnny when the season first started.
Last night was the first chance that all 3 groups got to be together to honor the Gaudreau boys. The family that raised and loved them, the team that first gave Johnny a chance in the NHL and watched him grow into a superstar, and the team where Johnny was beginning to raise his new family. So to start off the night, both teams came out in Gaudreau jerseys for warmups.
Before the puck drop, the Flames brought the Gaudreau family out onto the ice for the ceremonial first faceoff.
Impossible not to get a little choked up after seeing the emotion on Monahan's face there. You think about all the years he and Johnny had together in Calgary, and I'm sure all of those memories were rushing right back to him in that moment. Unfortunately he wasn't able to get himself on the board last night with Columbus getting shutout 3-0. It was a good night for the Flames, but the biggest star of the night was Johnny.
First of all, it's been so great to see Guy around the boys so much this season. He's spent time on the ice at Flyers practices, at Blue Jackets practices, and earlier this week he was on the ice for some Flames practices. He's a hockey guy through and through, and most importantly he's found his passion in coaching while raising his boys. Every time he gets on the ice with these teams seems like a chance for him to get a piece of his boys back with him, and that has been so amazing to see.
Secondly, you can see just how proud he is of everything that Johnny accomplished in his career during that moment. We've seen a lot of emotion out of Guy during all of these tributes so far this season, and it's been heartbreaking to say the least. Obviously most of these tributes and ceremonies have revolved around what a great human Johnny and Matthew were. But this was a moment where you could see Guy get a moment to appreciate how special of a hockey player Johnny was, and I think that's also just as important to remember. Because that only happens through the hard work of everybody in his life who helped get him to that point.
All in all, another incredibly touching and emotional night celebrating the life of a special human who was taken from us way too soon. Stick taps for Johnny and Matty, and great work by everybody last night in making the game so impactful.
13 & 21 forever.