I think we knew how good we had it when he was here. There was the usual “hockey critic” thing, right from the start. He was “too small, not strong enough, a perimeter player, not a playoff guy, didn’t take nutrition seriously, not worth a big contract” etc, but he always proved them all wrong and, deep down, I think even those critics knew we were lucky. I think that’s what made leaving so hard on people. We knew what we had, we knew we were lucky, we remembered the hope he gave us as soon as he stepped on the ice for the first time, and we knew that hope dwindled when he left.
He loved this team and this city and we loved him back.
In the end, his love for his family trumped it all, and I’m glad he gave himself the opportunity to spend more time with his family and start one of his own. Life is short, and his time was unfairly short, but he had the opportunity to make the most of it and be close to those he loved most and he took it.
Our loss as fans seems pretty insignificant compared to the loss of his family and those who knew him best. But I’m sure I’m not the only one who thought in the back of their mind that maybe that hope wasn’t gone, maybe he’d come back and make us feel the same way again. Now it’s gone for good, and that’s hard. And it’s so much harder thinking of all the people who lost so much more than that hope. And I didn’t expect to cry over a hockey player, but I’ve cried three times this morning.
RIP Johnny. And thank you for everything.
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Another story, this one just from my drive with my kid to his soccer practice this morning
"Dad, one of my favorite memories is after hockey games or practice, we'd stop by Dairy Queen to get a blizzard, and then go home to watch Johnny and the Flames play. That's one of my favorite memories with you"
Seriously. I feel for his children so much, to grow up without a dad. I actually cried when he said that.
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I know people mostly hate Montreal, but I attended a couple Flames games when I was living there - and it's a smart hockey crowd. You could literally feel/hear the building buzz when Gaudreau touched the puck, as the away crowd anticipated they were about to watch something great happen.
Rip Johnny
Johnny was electrifying - the kind of player that got you out of your seat almost every night. He had an infectious desire to win and carried the torch for the team after the Iginla years. It's so tragic that the world lost such a captivating figure, but even more sad that his family is left to grieve.
I was a season ticket holder for most of his tenure and it was truly a please watching #13. I honestly can't make sense of this tragedy, but thankful for all the memories he gave the C of Red. When the time is right, it would be a tremendous gesture for the team to honor him and let his family know the impact he had on the Flames and the community as a whole. He grew up in Calgary and as fans we were so fortunate to be a small piece in his story.
__________________ MMF is the tough as nails cop that "plays by his own rules". The force keeps suspending him when he crosses the line but he keeps coming back and then cracks a big case.
-JiriHrdina
Haven't posted in a long time but wanted to contribute to this thread. Just heartbroken for the entire Gaudreau family.
I'm a lifelong Flames fan who managed to become a STHer in the summer of 2014. The team wasn't very good and hadn't been to the playoffs in a long time. But they had this exciting young prospect who just won the Hobey Baker and was looking to make the jump to the NHL. Even if they didn't win many games, it would hopefully be entertaining to watch.
And he was. We watched him not only make the NHL but become a superstar. Right before our eyes. He easily became my favorite player and I followed him and the team through the highs and lows, capping things off with his OT goal against Dallas in 2022. Won't ever forget that night, that moment, celebrating with 20,000 people.
But I've learned over the years that nothing lasts forever. I'll remember where I was when I heard the news he would be leaving Calgary, and happily booed him when he came back to play as a member of the Blue Jackets. Not because I didn't like him anymore, but because sports is entertainment and fun and it pulls at your heart strings and that's why we love it.
And that's why this news is so heartbreaking. For his parents who we came to know and love as much as the player. For the rest of his family -- who are mourning instead of celebrating what was supposed to be such a happy time for his sister and their family. And for his fans, who like me, never knew him personally but know what it means to love and cheer for someone or something and the hurt you feel to have it end too soon.
The moments on the ice and off the ice will be replayed and remembered. Thank you 13 for providing so many of those great moments for us to hold onto.
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Johnny scored 609 points in 602 games as a Flame. One assist away from 400 as a Flame
to my knowledge about 10 players who wore the Flaming C for over a season were over a PPG for their careers as a Flame. the rest were born between 1956-1968. he is 25 years younger than the next guy. totally different era. incredible really
__________________ MMF is the tough as nails cop that "plays by his own rules". The force keeps suspending him when he crosses the line but he keeps coming back and then cracks a big case.
-JiriHrdina
Many excellent posts in this thread. My thoughts have been echoed throughout.
Only thing I'll add, it really hurt when he made his decision to leave in free agency; I didn't handle it well, and made a real ass of myself instead of accepting his decision with class. I feel really bad about that. He deserved for us to be gracious for the years he played here and for all the great memories he created.
Thank you Johnny Gaudreau! You will be missed, both from a hockey and from a humanity perspective.
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I can’t seem to find the clip now, but Gaudreau was on a breakaway and Hughson made a brilliant call and said “HEEEEEERE’S JOHNNY” followed by silence and Gaudreau scores. Gives me goosebumps still.
I can’t seem to find the clip now, but Gaudreau was on a breakaway and Hughson made a brilliant call and said “HEEEEEERE’S JOHNNY” followed by silence and Gaudreau scores. Gives me goosebumps still.
I can’t seem to find the clip now, but Gaudreau was on a breakaway and Hughson made a brilliant call and said “HEEEEEERE’S JOHNNY” followed by silence and Gaudreau scores. Gives me goosebumps still.
While Beesley was announcing his name because he had just scored.
Edit: I must be thinking of yet another godly play
Thank you for never scoring on the Flames, and being a class act despite all the boos after you left.
Gaudreau gave the Flames a superstar and gave me hope we could win a cup during his time here. Watching Monahan, and Gaudreau grow with the Flames and speed up the rebuild was awesome. They were having so much fun, first with Hudler, then Lindholm came and the purple Gatorade line was born. Finally, he got to play on the best line in hockey in 22', so thank you for making us fans feel pride in our team and your play.
Gaudreau's Allstar games/NHL awards with the Flames were pretty great too, loved him deffering to Gio with everything.
