Quote:
Originally Posted by gvitaly
I'm on the fence on this one. Now I'm leaning towards it not being retired.
I think the Flames should make a memorial for John, and maybe have one of the sections in the new building being named after him, along with a program that does good in the community under his name.
That said, I think that retiring a hockey jersey should be for the player's hockey accomplishments with the Flames. The lack of playoff success, and Gaudreau's decision to move on should be taken into account. I also don't think that retiring the number will help his family Grieve, but I don't know that, and it should be discussed with his parents and his wife.
Is Regehr's number in the rafters? Is Gios going to be? Is Johnny more deserving just because he's gone?
PS: I won't be upset with either decision, and I can see how people in the organization and fans alike will get closure from the gesture.
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Taking myself away from the tragedy this is aligned with my thinking. It will be difficult to have a level-headed conversation about this for a while as the automatic reaction to the tragedy would be to want to retire the number in tribute to him. Also official Jersey retirement or not I imagine given the circumstances no player will ever wear #13 as a number for the Calgary Flames ever again.
My thoughts are if his body of work on the ice as a Calgary Flame warranted jersey retirement two days ago then go ahead retire the jersey number. If not then find any multitude of other things to honor/remember him (#13 patch for this season, statue in front of Scotia Place, Section named after him, etc. etc.)