Just put a stick and my 13 jersey on the front porch a la Humboldt.
Best Johnny memories are definitely most of 2014-15 season, the Anaheim tying goal, the game 7 OT winner against Dallas. Was pretty sad and hurt when he left. He was really my favourite Flame for many years.
I followed Gaudreau since I saw his draft photo and wondered why we drafted a 14 year old.
Followed him at BC and was blown away by how doing things I've never seen a hockey player do. I kept telling my friends that we had someone special waiting in the coffers. No one would believe me until they watched him for even a few minutes. He was the most exciting player the Flames have had in my lifetime.
I've told this before but one final time: His first full camp they were giving away pucks with players on them and signed. Some kid beside me had a #53 Gaudreau puck. He asked his dad "who's this" and his dad wasn't sure but I chimed in, pointed out Johnny and said "you're going to want to hang onto that puck, kid". Just as I said that JG came down the boards made some move and ripped a puck top corner and the whole crowd was like "uhhh wtf?" and I looked at the kid and gave him a smile and nod.
Struggling with words to express how I feel today and there are too many highlights and memories of him to mention. But that clip of him and Sean hugging after the game 7 OT winner always gets me and hits even harder today. That moment is forever etched in my memory. Go Johnny Go
This line from his Players Tribune article is what it took to finally make me crack:
One day, Meredith and I hope to bring our family back to Calgary to show them all our favorite spots and things to do like Banff and the Stampede, especially the Saddledome!
As a father to a two year old, all I think about is all the adventures and things I can share with my daughter. All those hopes and aspirations have vanished thanks to selfish actions
Johnny, thanks for what you brought to the city. You will be missed
Thank you for everything Johnny. You were special player, a special person with a special family. You will never be forgotten and will always hold a special place in our franchise as one of our best ever to don the Flames’ silks. RIP.
