During their pre-game warmups tonight, Calgary Flames players will wear the name and number of former Flames All-Star Johnny Gaudreau on the backs of their jerseys.
The Flames are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Saddledome for their first and only visit of the 2024-25 season. Gaudreau, who was tragically killed over the summer along with his brother Matthew, had played the past two seasons with the Blue Jackets, following eight with Calgary.
In addition to the pre-game uniform tribute, the Flames invited Guy Gaudreau, Johnny and Matthew’s father, as an honorary coach at their practice yesterday. The Flames are hosting several members of the Gaudreau family for tonight’s game, including Guy and his wife Jane, Johnny’s wife Meredith and their two children, and his sisters Kristen and Katie.
The Flames will play a video tribute to the pair. A ceremonial faceoff will be held with the family featuring Flames captain Mikael Backlund and Blue Jackets forward (and former Calgary Flame) Sean Monahan.
Last week, Flames goaltender Dan Vladar announced he’d pay tribute to the memory of the hockey brothers for both of their games against Columbus, November 29th in Columbus and again for tonight’s December 3rd contest in Calgary.
“I just wanted to do something to pay tribute to Johnny and Matthew,” Vladar said in a video posted by the Flames. “Johnny was a very good friend of ours, and we all miss the boys a lot.”
Vladar has said the mask will be auctioned off following the second of the two games on December 3, and proceeds from tonight’s 50/50 draw at the game will be donated to MADD Canada and KidSport Calgary. The Calgary Flames Foundation will also donate $13,723 to the Calgary Food Bank; that figure represents 13 cents for every Skittle candy (Johnny’s favourite) that was collected from the Gaudreau memorial that was set up outside the Saddledome earlier this year.
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