Retire Johnny Gaudreau's #13

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Apparently a petition is going around now to retire 13.
I understand the sentiment but it's unnecessary. I think part of grief is people's desire to do something. To take action. But this is about what is right and feels OK for the family. And we should also remember that many people in the Flames organization were close to Johnny, and are mourning themselves. Give it time. I'm sure no one will wear 13 ever again, but I don't see the value in putting public pressure on the Flames to immediately announce their plans.

Well said.

Dont forget the Flames group from dome personal right up to ownership also know how much Johnny meant to this city, its definitely not lost on them.
No need to do a petition, it was already going to be a thing. Nobody was going to wear 13 again in this city, almost an unspoken rule.

Johnny defined an era for the Flames, we all remember the Lanny era and then Iginla was the next man up to give this city something to cheer for. Johnny was the next one after that and everyone knows it, including the brass who make these decisions.

In good time people, it doesn't have to be now but it has to make sense for everyone involved.

[Flamesguy_SJ]

I like the idea of the number just.... being up in the rafters on opening night. The ceremony and celebration can happen, like others have said, when the family is ready. But I think it would say a lot from the organization to the fans & community if right from the first puck drop, Johnny's number is just up there beside Iginla and Lanny and Vernon.

[CroFlames]

Based purely on hockey merit - a jersey retirement is debatable. It does require some tenure.

The fact that his life was tragically cut short, and he and his family were absolutely beloved in this city? - it's a no brainer.

They'll do it when the time is right.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I honestly just hope that the Flames do a fantastic job at honouring the person that Gaudreau was on and off the ice early this season. Maybe do something like a '13 seconds of silence in Gaudreau's memory against drunk driving' as part of the start to every home game this season. That's something that I would love to see, actually.



Retirement shouldn't be done right away, or it will detract from his actual on-ice contributions. You don't retire a player because of the unfortunate circumstances of someone's passing. You retire a player because that player was one of your best players in franchise history for his accomplishments on the ice and for his contributions to the team off the ice. Additional consideration should be made for his contributions in the wider community as well.


Gaudreau fits in every way. He has the stats worthy of being retired. Every player loved him as a teammate. He made himself available at every turn for every cause the Flames wanted to support and he tried to make this community better for many people. I have no doubt that his retirement will eventually happen. I think the correct approach is that you honour the man that he was and the man that his family lost this year. After a few years (or whenever seems appropriate), you then honour the player that he was. I would rather have this done when his children are old enough to remember him being honoured with his jersey being lifted into the rafters, and 20,000 people chanting the name of their father who they probably won't even have first-hand memories of. I would think it appropriate for the Flames' Organization to work with the family and see what they are thinking, and include them in the planning. I think doing this when Johnny's kids are old enough to remember it and realize how special the moment is, would probably be the best time to retire Johnny's jersey.

[Inferno099]

retiring #13. It needs to be done.
https://www.youtube.com/live/NCNgjHk...yE1l5Scd&t=667

Forever a Flame needs to be eliminated in its current form:
https://flamesnation.ca/news/it-is-t...-flame-program

[GioforPM]

Here's the issue I am having with a retirement now. Johnny is arguably entitled to one on the merits of his play in Calgary - 5th OA in points and assists, up there in goals and games. But if you retire it now, it's like the reason you are doing it is because of the death, not because of his play. It almost detracts from the retirement.

Maybe in a year.

[GreenLantern2814]

Opening night is less than two months away.

Having gone through a tragedy that I am still miles away from recovered from, I can almost certainly assure you that the last thing the Gaudreau family is going to want to do any time soon is be in an arena with 20,000 people staring at them.

It will happen when it happens - the timing is up to nobody but the Gaudreaus.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Here's the issue I am having with a retirement now. Johnny is arguably entitled to one on the merits of his play in Calgary - 5th OA in points and assists, up there in goals and games. But if you retire it now, it's like the reason you are doing it is because of the death, not because of his play. It almost detracts from the retirement.

Maybe in a year.

Not even that, people constantly bringing it up, starting a petition for it like the Flames came out and said they will never do it.

Does anyone think its appropriate to announce a jersey retirement, they can quietly take the # out of circulation.

It's the beginning of September, this is still fresh, give the family and team a chance to breathe.

These things are planned in advance as well, its not something you just throw together.

The team did it right for Iggy, they did it right for Kipper, and they will get it right for Johnny. Everyone knows what Johnny and his family meant to this team and city, that won't change with a jersey retirement announcement 6 days after his death.

[Hot_Flatus]

It would be the most fitting to do it when Columbus is in town and vice versa IMO. It will all come out it due time I'm sure....this is still only a few days old despite feeling like much longer.

[GFG#1]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

It would be the most fitting to do it when Columbus is in town and vice versa IMO. It will all come out it due time I'm sure....this is still only a few days old despite feeling like much longer.

I would say if Columbus was here near the end of February or later it would maybe make sense. Early December is only a few months removed from the accident. Seems like it may be enough time for fans, but I can tell you as a father, If I lost both my boys to an accident on the same night, I would need more than a few months to get over it. Let alone be ready to face millions of people on TV. Even if the family could get through a ceremony like that, I don't think they would be "ready" for the celebration and memory of his career accomplishments.

I think it would be great if Columbus and Calgary were to play the first game of the 25/26 season in Calgary and have it retired then.

[Reggie Dunlop]

IMO, we're looking at six, maybe ten years for an official ceremony. That's so Johnny's kids will be able to understand it . Also, the family is mourning the lost of two brothers and it'll need time some to emotionally separate Johnny's accomplishments without it being awkward.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

IMO, we're looking at six, maybe ten years for an official ceremony. That's so Johnny's kids will be able to understand it . Also, the family is mourning the lost of two brothers and it'll need some to emotionally separate Johnny's accomplishments without it being awkward.

Yeah, any decision has to take into account how his family feels. Retiring the number so soon could just add to the weight.. It seems like turning the page too quickly, but I fully support doing it at some point whenever that might be. It just seems too early to even consult with them about it.

Those poor kids are going to miss out on living memories of their father's career. It will be nice if one day that can actively participate in the event and experience first hand what he meant to the city.

[PepsiFree]

People keep talking about taking into account the family and then prescribing what the family can or should want/handle. Not judging, just putting that out there as something to think about.

The Snows, including his two children, stood in front of 20,000 people two weeks after they lost their dad and husband. Everybody is different, and every situation is different, but while it’s important we think of the family, it’s just as important we don’t step into the territory of thinking for them. I’d like to think the Flames will put them first, not what they think they want first.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

People keep talking about taking into account the family and then prescribing what the family can or should want/handle. Not judging, just putting that out there as something to think about.

The Snows, including his two children, stood in front of 20,000 people two weeks after they lost their dad and husband. Everybody is different, and every situation is different, but while it’s important we think of the family, it’s just as important we don’t step into the territory of thinking for them. I’d like to think the Flames will put them first, not what they think they want first.

This is a bit different I would say.

Jersey retirement is a big ceremony, takes a lot of planning.

It would also feel like we are just doing it because he died.

Also with Chris unfortunately it was something we knew that was coming one day. This was unexpected.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

I think that you have to let the family drive the bus on this. Allow them their privacy for grief, have the organization be there to support them and when the time is right have a ceremony with them involved. It may never be right for them and the wound may always be too great but you let them be the people in that position.

Honestly I think that there should be a large investment in perpetuity of a Johnny Hockey section in the arena, have it be a family friendly section where people can watch the game with their kids in an alcohol free environment. Have the 13th and 21st rows being donated to local charities so underprivileged kids/kids with challenges/kids who have lost a parent can go to the games.

The Johnny Gaudreau Family Section would be a great way to remember the person he was, what was important and not just the hockey player.

[The Yen Man]

I'm all for honoring Johnny the person this season, and raising a banner to acknowledge him, and then eventually retiring his number a few years down the road when the timing is right.

That way, we can honor Johnny properly this season, and then when we retire his jersey later on, also honor him for all the on ice achievements. Even if he didn't pass away, I've always thought Flames would eventually retire his number later on based on his stats and record.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

IMO, we're looking at six, maybe ten years for an official ceremony. That's so Johnny's kids will be able to understand it . Also, the family is mourning the lost of two brothers and it'll need time some to emotionally separate Johnny's accomplishments without it being awkward.

I can't see this. I'd be completely shocked if we're six to ten years away from a ceremony in Calgary. I think you're very in the moment in that estimate. There'll be a ceremony/jersey retirement in the next two seasons, imo, and the Gaudreaus will be there because they want to be there with all the fans that supported his career.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by jayswin

I can't see this. I'd be completely shocked if we're six to ten years away from a ceremony in Calgary. I think you're very in the moment in that estimate. There'll be a ceremony/jersey retirement in the next two seasons, imo, and the Gaudreaus will be there because they want to be there with all the fans that supported his career.

That'll be up to the widow moreso than the parents...

There's no timetable for these ceremonies, but I'd caution longer than sooner.

[Phaneuf_Phan]

Are we going to retire Tkachuck's number too? If not then I don't think we should retire #13. The way he left Calgary and left us with no trade wasn't good. Just my two cents.

[The Cobra]

I find a petition a bit insulting to the Flames organization.

Petitions are to force people to do something they don't want to do.

There is nothing to suggest that the Flames won't honour Gaudreau when the time is right.