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

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Everyone always says hockey is just a game, but the game sucks you in. You are fully invested in the team, the players, you follow them from 17 years of age on up every detail.

This game gives you the opportunity to create memories with friends and family that live on forever.

The game 7 OT watching with my dad will be a memory I will always cherish.

Rest easy John.

It is just a game, but a game we love played by humans that we become attached too. I don't know why I became a Flames fan, but I know that over the years you tend to follow and feel close to the guys that play for the Flames, and they become sort of an example, or maybe an escape from everyday life.

Jarome was like that for me as a young Flames fan, and I know Johnny was like that for many other young Flames fans when he joined the team and during his career in Calgary.

And he filled his role well, was a great example, fun to watch, good attitude....someone that if your kids looked up too and emulated in their own lives, it was something you could be proud of.

Such a tragic story, and absolutely heart wrenching given its not just Johnny we loved to watch, but his entire family went out of their way to make themselves part of the Calgary Flames.

[Jbo]

In what has been an incredibly crushing and difficult month for me personally, this has hit me hard even more.

My takeaway truly is to value the time we have, hug those we love and never go a day wasted in anger. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Johnny was my favorite Flame besides Iggy and to even think about the pain his family is going through almost physically hurts.

[Titan2]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

I can guarantee there are people reading this that drink and drive. This is the most I've publicly said this, but I used to do it. When I drank, I couldn't not drink and drive. Sure, many times I would plan ahead and take a cab there, but for the unplanned times, somehow I would find a way. Zero control when I would drink.


There is so much guilt when I look back at this time in my life considering the implication it could have had on me, my kids, family, other families etc. I am so lucky nothing ever happened.

Had to make a decision, and for this reason (and others), I'm now almost 8 years sober.

One of the rare times when a name change request should be honored.

Good on you.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

Boomer and Pinder (maybe Rhett?) are scheduled to go on BarnBurner at 10:15. Gonna be a tough but excellent watch

Guys on the fan 960 are struggling. Tough day for all Calgary hockey fans and people involved with the team. Probably one of the darkest days surrounding the team I can remember, such a tragedy.

I don't blame anyone one bit for being emotional today, even the fans. Not like we knew the guy but we followed and watched him for many years and you get attached to the players.

Just a brutal tough day.

[Drury18]

I was really hoping this was not true.

I was never a fan of JG's and won't pretend to be now, but spent enough time around the organization to know he a good man and it was difficult to find anyone who had a bad thing to say about him. He had a strong sense of family and community and that will be the bigger loss than anything he did on the ice.

[BigThief]

I'm not sure who are the voices on the Fan rigjt now but they are absolutely struggling to keep it together. It's tragic in every sense of the word.

[dammage79]

All I can see in my head right now is the first picture I ever seen of Gaudreau, and that was the one with Chris Breen. Giant and antman in on shot. That was my introduction to the most skilled player the Flames ever had.

What a ####ty ####ing way to wake up even knowing the probable outcome when I went to bed.

[Titan2]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

People understand that the media can’t make any judgements about the nature of a fatal incident that hasn’t gone to trial and where nobody has been charged yet, right? If they ran the headlines people seem to want them to run, they’d open themselves up to libel.

You are right but they should also avoid the use of the word 'accident' which implies nothing could have been done. "A vehicle driven by X collided with two cyclists"

[Racki]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

I can guarantee there are people reading this that drink and drive. This is the most I've publicly said this, but I used to do it. When I drank, I couldn't not drink and drive. Sure, many times I would plan ahead and take a cab there, but for the unplanned times, somehow I would find a way. Zero control when I would drink.


There is so much guilt when I look back at this time in my life considering the implication it could have had on me, my kids, family, other families etc. I am so lucky nothing ever happened.

Had to make a decision, and for this reason (and others), I'm now almost 8 years sober.

I'm 20+ years sober, and I am in the same boat. Did this way more than I care to admit. I have put to rest most of my transgressions from this time in my life, but I still feel shame when I look back at how often I did this.

[Nammer403]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Guys on the fan 960 are struggling. Tough day for all Calgary hockey fans and people involved with the team. Probably one of the darkest days surrounding the team I can remember, such a tragedy.

I don't blame anyone one bit for being emotional today, even the fans. Not like we knew the guy but we followed and watched him for many years and you get attached to the players.

Just a brutal tough day.

Was in LA the day Kobe died.
How the city is right now is how the LA was at that time
Emotional time for everyone

[Nyah]

I'm still in disbelief that this even happened.

[fotze2]

I feel bad for all of you guys. For us nerds this our family. We are all worse because of this. Fack. Hugs all around. Can’t allow the hate for buddy who did this enter my mind.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by Titan2

One of the rare times when a name change request should be honored.

Good on you.

It feels a little silly, but it also happens to be my last name, so I'll keep it.

[stemit14]

Undersized player taken late in the draft. Worked his way to being a superstar despite being doubted by so many others at every stage of hockey. The absolute embodiment of “Always earned, never given.”

[Fleury’sOTGoalCelebration]

Damn it, this is just absolutely devastating. My prayers will be going out to the Gaudreau family.
May you rest in peace #13, thank you for all the amazing memories you gave the C of Red.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Nyah

https://twitter.com/user/status/1829501530484900317

I feel devasted for Monahan too. I was really looking forward to seeing the Gaudreau/Money-Hands reunion too. After everything that had happened, the Flames were rebuilding and Monahan is a great redemption story, coming back from all of his injuries, and he'd managed to reunite himself with his good friend. I don't think it was a coincidence that Monahan signed for 5 years, the exact remaining length of Gaudreau's contract.

Absolutely devastating on so many levels.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

100%

None of us are promised another day on this earth.

We all need to prioritize doing what is best for our own mental health and our loved ones / families.

Hopefully this resonates with people the next time a player "promises" they are going to stay, only to leave on a whim and people here start raking him and his wife over the coals. Each and everyone of us must do what is best for ourselves, our lives, our families and no one can tell us our decision is wrong.

Johnny took a ton of heat for leaving and even when the decision was clearly about family, some still couldn't accept it. Just a reminder that these guys aren't our toys or puppets to play with. These are human being with their own lives. Life is already short, goes by quick and can be taken away in the literal blink of an eye.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Nammer403

Was in LA the day Kobe died.
How the city is right now is how the LA was at that time
Emotional time for everyone

Got into the office about an hour ago and everyone is talking about it. Even the people who don't watch hockey at all.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by blankall

I feel devasted for Monahan too. I was really looking forward to seeing the Gaudreau/Money-Hands reunion too. After everything that had happened, the Flames were rebuilding and Monahan is a great redemption story, coming back from all of his injuries, and he'd managed to reunite himself with his good friend. I don't think it was a coincidence that Monahan signed for 5 years, the exact remaining length of Gaudreau's contract.

Absolutely devastating on so many levels.

I was just chatting about this with a pal....gotta be tough on Monny.

[Mr.Coffee]

Awful, just so sad.