[News] Confirmed: Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matt have passed away

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

The teams aren't usually insured in case of injury, but the players themselves are insured in case of accidental death.

Hockey injuries are part of the game. Drunk $#&%! drivers aren't.

So is the beneficiary the family?

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

I dunno, but for me, the cycling parade around the dome has to be one of the most powerful tributes Ive seen all day. Just my feelings here, but its an act of camaraderie, but also defiance to the prick that did this- and to those that have done a similar thing with d&d.

That was the critical mass group. I was surprised we didn't go around to the stairs memorial but the mass was hundreds of riders.

They ride in major cities around the world every last friday of the month. Mostly its just a fun, casual ride. However, the other undercurrent is that it is intended to send a message that bicycles deserve to be on the road and are just as effective mode of transport as well.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Does anyone have people in their life thinking you are being ridiculous.

Whoever is doing that is being an insensitive expletive.

It's all perspective and there's more than likely an equivalent loss or tragedy that would affect them despite not being directly connected with the individual.

People who downplay such a thing lack empathy and probably struggle with their share of relational issues because of it.

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by Matt Reeeeead

The contracts are insured by an nhl mandated, team sponsored, life or accidental death claim which covers non hockey accidents.

The blue jackets won’t be responsible for paying, but the family will receive the full contract.


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This is really great and thoughtful by the NHL/nhlpa. Is there a source for this?

[Username: Flames]

This is so sad.

[cam_calderon]

Let me just say, I think there's a time and place for discussions around bicycles and road safety but this thread was not the right place. I'm sorry for being insensitive when I thought this was unlikely to actually be Johnny, but it was still insensitive.

RIP Johnny and Matthew.

[LChoy]

Apologies if my sentiments mirror those in this thread so far, but like others, I feel compelled to share my thoughts with all of you, a sort of balm for an aching soul. This also turned way longer than I intended, so apologies for the wall of text and formatting, this is all coming from my heart with very little fact checking.

Why does this hurt?

It was a question I asked myself this morning when I heard the news.

I identify as a Flames fan, always have, but I wouldn’t say I’m crazy about them. I don’t own a Gaudreau jersey, or watch very many games anymore. I haven’t even lived in Calgary for many years now. I also experienced the loss of an immediate family last year, yet this news hurt me down to my essence.

I was fortunate to spend the day with my son today at Canada’s Wonderland, a welcome distraction where I might otherwise be doom strolling on CP. Having some time to digest it, this is a part of the answer I came up with.

The loss of Gaudreau and his brother to this tragedy was like losing a child. It was CP’s child, or Calgary’s child, he was one of us, and we were all present online or in game when he came into our world.

With respect to prospects and players that had come and gone, Gaudreau came into Calgary orbit in 2011, at a time when Iginla’s impending departure was beginning to materialize. CP was already fretting about who would take on the mantel of the next face of the franchise.

That year it was Sven Baertschi that we had pinned our hopes as the next great Flame.

However like an infant learning to take his first steps, glimpses of his potential began to emerge at Boston College, the World tournament, and the World Juniors. Flames fans started to dare to dream about the potential of the next Fleury, or to re-do a St. Louis type situation. CP debated whether he was too small to make it, or how would he need to adapt his game to the NHL level. Whether skill and heart could win over size and strength.

And in his next step, as he started becoming too good to ignore, that fear of him not panning out at the NHL level turned into a new fear, the fear that he won’t know sign with the Flames. CP was heated in his final 2 years at college, the endless debates of the will he or won’t he sign. The fear wasn’t irrational either, the feeling of betrayal from Erxison and Fox were all too real and fresh. And so it was a great joy for all of us when Gaudreau put pen to paper in 2014, signing with his teammate in April of that year. He was committed to Calgary, and we were damn proud to have him.

The Gaudreau era gave us plenty to cheer about. A feel good underdog story, and he exceeded all of our expectations. Forming half of our dynamic duo with Monohan, and later with Matthew Tkachuk, we witnessed some of the most exciting Flames hockey in recent years. Similar to Iginla before, Gaudreau was one of the faces of the franchise, one of the few Flames players universally recognizable by other fans, the one who represented us at the All Star games, or cheer for in international play. He was our star, and we watched and supported him all the way.

In the Community, Gaudreau was a role model in Calgary and beyond. He showed that you didn’t need to 6ft 4inch tall or weigh 200lbs to succeed in the NHL. He was also humble, giving back to the community. We got to know his family, especially his father, a relatable man to hockey dads everywhere. There was a certain genuineness to Gaudreau and his family we admired.

And then like empty nesting, it was soon time for him to go elsewhere to spread his wings, and forge his own path. His decision didn’t sit well with some, but it was also hard to fault a man that chose to be closer to his family. We had said goodbye to him as a Flame before, but many of us continued to follow him, and many more cherished the memories and the impact that he had left behind.

We were all there, front and center, witnessing the journey of an incredible hockey player, and even better man. He represented us with pride and honor, he was one of our own, like a collective son of CP and Calgary.

Which leads me to the second part on why this hurts.

This wasn’t suppose to happen, this can’t be how his story ends.

I am not a religious person, nor do I believe strongly in fate and destiny. I believe life is a complex randomness of choices and actions interwoven between all of us.

The story that we hope to hear is one where he returns to Calgary one day, or at the very least wins a cup and brings it home to us. As a person, to have him and his wife raise their children together, continue the bonds of friendship with Monahan and Hayes. He was supposed to grow old together with his wife after a successful hockey career, maybe take up coaching like his dad all while continuing to give back to community. And still one day grace Calgary again in some shape or form.

But sometimes randomness is cruel. It’s hard to imagine a worst set of circumstances of his passing, to be at that spot with his brother on that night, on the eve of his sister’s wedding with family and friends in celebration. In that moment, families were ripped apart, and we are all in mourning.

It was the suddenness of it all, there was no warning, no time to prepare. Universally we went through the same shock together. And in the aftermath, it is our empathy that we are feeling with his family, sympathetic to the unfairness of life that is leaving the families to pick up the pieces.

In closing, we are all feeling this today because we were privileged to witness a great person bring joy to us and our city. Even if you were not a hockey fan or haven’t heard of him until today, the circumstances of what happened is universally relatable.

Although I am an internet nobody, one who browses a Calgary Flames based forum on a daily basis, I express my deepest condolences to the Gaudreau Family. His presence and contribution to the team and city I love is everlasting.

Rest in Peace Johnny and Matthew

LChoy

[cam_calderon]

I'll double post, because why not?

I first became a Flames fan in the 2012-13 (lockout?) season, catching two games at the Dome vs Colorado and Edmonton. My family friends, who I was staying with in your fine city, warned my parents and I that the Flames were serial losers but I didn't listen. Now, I'm stick with this affliction as anyone reading this likely is, too.

Johnny and Monahan provided so many happy memories, I was excited to see them reunited. My fandom with this club will always be inextricably linked with Johnny.

[My2Cents]

I have nothing to add to the conversation but am looking for outlets to grieve. I really appreciate this community, we really do go through the good and bad together.

I am having a hard time processing this. Just unbelievably sad. RIP.

[Matt Reeeeead]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I never knew that. I’ve always heard most NHL contracts are not insured at all.

There’s many types of insurance on player contracts relating to many issues, depending on the severity.

For example, if a team flight crashes and everyone perishes; theirs insurance for that to ensure players contracts are fulfilled without putting a team under extreme financial duress.

Insurance is an overall key part of the CBA and a mandated cost that protects both players and team from horrendous situations. The NHLPA represented the players well to ensure these measures are in place for long term security no matter the issue that arises.

For most small, day to day injuries for non star players, teams manage that risk through self insurance; but significant issues like these are thankfully taken care of.

Johnny can at least rest knowing that despite not going to be here for it; his life work and universal skillset has set up his family for generations.


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[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by My2Cents

I have nothing to add to the conversation but am looking for outlets to grieve. I really appreciate this community, we really do go through the good and bad together.

I am having a hard time processing this. Just unbelievably sad. RIP.

If anything comes to you, you're welcome to use this thread as an outlet.

There's been a lot of open and honest comments about the difficulty of this. It's been a good safe space to vent or just write out the overwhelming sadness.

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by My2Cents

I have nothing to add to the conversation but am looking for outlets to grieve. I really appreciate this community, we really do go through the good and bad together.

I am having a hard time processing this. Just unbelievably sad. RIP.

It hasn't even been 24 hours since it was confirmed by the Jackets and there are so many utterly heartbreaking factors. It's difficult not to be angry at a man who so callously caused two deaths. So hard to imagine three kids growing up without their father.

I don't like to preach to others but we all need to consider our behaviour behind the wheel. If we all keep driving aggressively incidents like these will not cease happening.

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by Matt Reeeeead

The contracts are insured by an nhl mandated, team sponsored, life or accidental death claim which covers non hockey accidents.

The blue jackets won’t be responsible for paying, but the family will receive the full contract.


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The CBA seems to read that an insurance policy of $1m + 1-year salary insurance for accidental death. So not his entire contract amount would be paid out. I suppose there's also the driver's insurance company that would pay out something as well.

Did you just make up what you posted?

[Jay Random]

My wife and I were just talking about Johnny's death. After, I told her how glad I am that we are both alive and safe and together, and that I never want to take that for granted even for a moment.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

The CBA seems to read that an insurance policy of $1m + 1-year salary insurance for accidental death. So not his entire contract amount would be paid out. I suppose there's also the driver's insurance company that would pay out something as well.

Did you just make up what you posted?

I imagine the CBA specifies what the league is required to pay for, and that any additional insurance is paid for by the PA out of union dues.

[My2Cents]

I always come back to his young family. They will grow up not knowing their dad. Their dad who left such a lasting impression on so many of us. The people he cared about the most he doesn’t get to look after. Right or wrong he signed a contract with his family priorities first. Everything he was doing was for his family. Now his family is broken. It’s devastating.

Thank goodness for guys like AC as the kids can see the impact their dad had on all of us.

[Matt Reeeeead]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

This is really great and thoughtful by the NHL/nhlpa. Is there a source for this?

If you dive deep into the CBA it’s all there. Thankfully, I can save you the headache of going through it. I worked for the flames in finance for 10 years, with the hockey insurance programs part of my portfolio that i managed. It was an interesting area to dive into, but also unsettling being part of the process thinking about all the worst case scenarios that could happen to players that necessitate insurance programs; however, a necessary evil with the large dollars involved with player contracts in this business.


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[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by Matt Reeeeead

If you dive deep into the CBA it’s all there. Thankfully, I can save you the headache of going through it. I worked for the flames in finance for 10 years, with the hockey insurance programs part of my portfolio that i managed. It was an interesting area to dive into, but also unsettling being part of the process thinking about all the worst case scenarios that could happen to players that necessitate insurance programs; however, a necessary evil with the large dollars involved with player contracts in this business.


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This is what's in the CBA...


3.2 (a) The Clubs and the NHLPA shall maintain a group life insurance policy in a face
policy amount of $1,000,000 U.S. per Player, for all Players who are on an NHL Insured Roster
at any point during the season, with coverage commencing as of the first day on the Insured
Roster and continuing in effect until November 1st of the following season. The Clubs and the
NHLPA shall also maintain a group accidental death policy in a face policy amount of one (1)
times the Player's current season's annual base salary up to a maximum of $15,000,000 U.S., for
all Players who are on an NHL Insured Roster at any point during the season. Accidental death
coverage will commence as of the first day on the Insured Roster and shall continue in effect
until November 1st of the following season, except that a Player's accidental death policy amount
will change on October 1st of such season in the event there is an increase in his annual base
salary, in order to reflect the Player's then-current annual base salary (up to a maximum of
$15,000,000 U.S.). If such a Player's annual base salary decreases, the policy amount will
change as of November 1st, based on the new annual base salary. In the event a covered Player is
not under contract as of October 1st of such season, the accidental death coverage shall continue
in effect at the same face amount in effect for the prior season until the earlier of November 1st or
such time as the Player signs a new SPC and is on an NHL Insured Roster, at which time the
coverage amount will be changed to reflect the Player's then-current annual base salary (up to a
maximum of $15,000,000 U.S.), except that if such Player's annual base salary decreases as of
that October 1st, the coverage amount will remain unchanged until November 1st, at which time it
will be changed to reflect the then-current annual base salary. Claims are to be paid in U.S.
currency.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

I think the grief for those affected by this is most of all in the familiarity with the family and the circumstances surrounding it and trying to imagine what it must like for them, and realizing that that's next to impossible.

There are many layers and aspects to it that each seem to multiply the hurt, from the preventability of a reckless act to the young children left behind.

When athletes from other sports express sorrow you know there are human elements to this that transcend just knowing a guy from a team you cheer for.

[dino7c]

I can't even believe this is the thread on CP