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

[Hockey_Ninja]

In an attempt to lighten the mood a bit, here's a Johnny story that always makes me chuckle:

[Locke]

Cant eat that much Nutella?

Says who? I want to see their Credentials!

[Calgary]

Checked out the Saddledome stairs last night. Pretty emotional moment.

[Calgary4LIfe]

It is a bit late seeing this is page 64 already, but perhaps we can just split this thread into a Johnny Gaudreau remembrance, and leave the bickering and legalities into a different thread. I don't want to have to skip so many posts about people's opinions on alcoholism, or see the face of the guy who took two lives away needlessly, or have people just argue for whatever reason. I am here to read people's thoughts, stories about the Gaudreaus, links to tributes and so on.

[morgin]

I haven’t seen anything about a funeral announcement, and I know it’s early days, but I really hope it’s streamed (if the family is up for it) and the Dome opens up to let people watch from there.

[Jetfire]

Yeah, if the family wants to share it, by all means. Matiss Kivlenieks' service was streamed and everyone did a beautiful job.

[Royle9]

Wow that overhead stairs video is touching.
I’m speechless, such an amazing job by our loving fans.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_ZCV...Z2a2R3MWhvOHl2

Overhead shot of the Dome steps. Takes your breath away.

Wow.

Love this city.

[Calgary]

https://tinypic.host/image/tempImageYw6DNB.259CoG

Not sure why it won't embed when using [img] tags

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_ZCV...Z2a2R3MWhvOHl2

Overhead shot of the Dome steps. Takes your breath away.

Hopefully someone can get a really high res photo, prints a good size poster and it gets put up in the dome early in the season.

[PaperBagger'14]

I forgot to share this one last night too, the quote in the middle hit me pretty hard.

Spoiler!

“May you dazzle among the stars as you did on the ice”.

[jg13]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1830417520517685398

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

The community coming together has impressed me.

The one at nationwide is nice too, but it's no comparison.

This city adored him.

[Buff]

My friend went to Calgary today and posted this

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/FCh...ibextid=xfxF2i

[killer_carlson]

If you are able to come down to the Dome tonight or tomorrow, please bring some sidewalk chalk.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Buff

My friend went to Calgary today and posted this

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/FCh...ibextid=xfxF2i

####. Put those onions away.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

If you are able to come down to the Dome tonight or tomorrow, please bring some sidewalk chalk.

I plan to bring my 2 young boys down tomorrow, we've got about 35 packs of 100 sticks of sidewalk chalk, I can bring some!

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I plan to bring my 2 young boys down tomorrow, we've got about 35 packs of 100 sticks of sidewalk chalk, I can bring some!

That wouldw be great - especially red and yellow. We tried colouring the larger murals back in as they started to fade. Lots of people joined in but ran out of chalk.

We went afterwards and checked out Walmart North of memorial and Walmart McLeod and they were out of stock as it is out of season, so people bringing some would be a good help to folks

[flamesrule14]

Don’t post much on here anymore, but always read the forums daily during the season. Read this thread from beginning to end. Been nice to see I’m not the only one struggling. Hoping this post will help me somewhat. Not an overly emotional person, but found myself really struggling at times the last few days. From listening to the barnburner podcast show, talking to the wife and friends about it and reading all the posts and tributes. Been tough to keep it together and not breakdown. Never would have thought a “celebrity” death would affect me, but this has definitely got me.

Like a bunch of you I first saw the rumour on Thursday night. Kept refreshing this site and X what seemed like every 5 minutes just hoping it was a bad joke. Finally went to bed around 11:30 with no official confirmation, but deep down knew it was probably true. Had a terrible sleep. Couldn’t get it out of my mind. Checking my phone every few hours and hoping it was a sick joke and all just a dream. Alarm wakes me up for my day to start. See a couple texts from buddies that I wouldn’t expect and my heart sank. I knew.

My first time seeing Johnny was at a development camp after he was drafted. I always drove down to catch a day or two of these camps. I’ve always enjoyed following prospects and always enjoyed coming down for a day or two. Probably did this for 5-6 years straight with his first camp being the last I’ve been able to get down for. Anyways I remember him standing out. All world skill. Think I questioned his skating or something in my posts about the camp(yikes definitely not a scout). But man he was so good, but so small. I remember seeing him outside in between on ice sessions and he looked so tiny. I’m a smaller guy myself and I was probably mid 20s at that time and couldn’t believe this kid was an nhl prospect. As soon as he hit that ice though you could see the skill.

Followed him closely all through college, world juniors and he continued to amaze and prove his size wasn’t gonna stop him. He won everything. I remember buying a Gaudreaubey baker shirt through flames nation. Still have it and proudly wore it Friday all day as my tribute. I never had a worry he was gonna sign like some fans. Call it blind optimism or whatever, but I always knew he’d sign.

From his first goal in his first game after just signing. His rookie year and the comeback flames team of 2014-15. Purple gator with Mony and Lindholm. His goal against the Ducks. 115 point season! OT winner in game 7. His hug with Mony. Constant OT magic during the regular seasons. Some of my favorite memories. He was the flames. He was our guy. One poster a few pages ago said it best. We don’t get nice things. The flames don’t find these guys or get these guys. It’s tough being a flames fan. It’s tough being a flames fan in Edmonton! For 8 seasons though he made it easier to be a flames fan. He was our superstar.

My heart aches for Jane and Guy. They became rock stars in Calgary. Always enjoyed seeing them on broadcasts when they were in town to watch. Enjoyed Guy’s intensity while watching Johnny that I’m sure every dad can relate to. They were just good people and clearly so was Johnny. Maybe something I definitely took for granted was just how good he was off the ice. Not being in Calgary maybe is the biggest reason, but had no idea how much he was involved in charities and making a difference off the ice. Reading all the stories and tributes though make no mistake he was even better off the ice then on. I hope Jane and Guy can take comfort in that. They raised a hell of a person.

Lastly feel so sad for his wife and two young kids. As a father of two young kids myself I can’t even imagine what they are going through. Seeing her couple posts just breaks my heart. Shes clearly very strong and I know has a ton of support.

Wish I could head to the dome to pay my respects. Great job everyone. I hope the Gaudreau family feels the love. Doing my best here up in Edmonton. Been wearing his gaudreaubey baker shirt or various flames shirts and my flames hat all weekend. No heckles this weekend. A few polite nods.

Sorry for the long and probably disjointed post. Certainly not the greatest with words, but felt I had to just get something down and try to get my thoughts out. Definitely feel better typing this all out. Watching Johnny for 700 odd games I felt like I knew him and his family despite never meeting him. One small interaction a little head nod outside Don Hartman arena back in 2011 when he wasn’t known as a superstar. Who would have known he’d have this impact on this city and all us fans. Proud to cheer him on all these years. He was ours.


RIP Johnny and Matthew.

[Buff]

I don't know where they are in their grief but at some point,if they haven't already, Guy and Jane will realize that their boy was loved and that he had a huge positive impact on so many people's lives. As a parent, what an amazing thing to know.