The Calgary Flames want to make sure next week’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets honours the memory of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
Sportsnet’s Eric Francis reported earlier this week that the team will be flying out members of the Gaudreau family, including parents Guy and Jane. This will be the first time that Johnny’s two NHL teams have played against each other in Calgary since he and his brother Matthew tragically passed away after being hit by an alleged drunk driver.
Fans will have to wait and see what else the Flames have planned for next Tuesday’s game.
“We are deeply grateful to the Flames organization for inviting us back,” Jane told Francis over text. “Guy and I, along with our entire family, are looking forward to reconnecting with many friends in Calgary.
“The love and support so many have shown for John, Matty, and our entire family has helped us through the hardest time of our lives.”
The Gaudreau family will attend the Flames vs. Blue Jackets game in Calgary on December 3rd ❤️
(via @EricFrancis) pic.twitter.com/E6EKJssfok
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 25, 2024
The game comes at a sensitive part of the year, as the Gaudreau family will be spending their first American Thanksgiving without Johnny and Matthew.
While not much is known about how the Flames will honour the memory of the Gaudreau brothers, one has to think that former Calgary forward and current Blue Jackets player Sean Monahan will play a part as he returns to the arena where he started his NHL career. Monahan and Gaudreau spent a lot of time together playing together in Calgary, and the two were great friends.
This won’t be the first time that the Flames have honoured the memory of the Gaudreau brothers. Since their tragic passing in August, the city rallied to host a candlelight vigil outside of the Saddledome, attended by thousands of hockey fans and those wanting to pay their respects.
A sprawling fan-made tribute that included Gaudreau jerseys, Skittles packages, and purple Gatorades, a favourite of Johnny’s, was also set up outside the Saddledome for a time before being moved to a new location shortly before the season began.
It is set to be an emotional week for the Flames and Blue Jackets as the two will square off for the first time this season in Columbus on Friday before the meeting in Calgary next Tuesday.