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

[Calgary4LIfe]

It is still difficult to really fathom that he is gone. I honestly always expected him to return at some point. I have had many favourite Flames since I became a fan in the early 80's. I loved watching these pure skilled players just force my butt off the seats with their dazzling play. Nilsson, Loob, Makarov - I was absolutely spoiled rotten being a Flames' fan in those days. Then comes a long drought of these super-slick talents (though not completely absent if you look at players like Huselius), until Johnny shows up.


I basically followed him since he was 17-18. Never met him. All I know is that for almost a decade, my own good times in life were made better by watching this kid take my breath away, and my sorrows were forgotten about momentarily as I would feel the surge of electricity with some of his moves.


I have experienced a lot of loss in life, probably more than my fair share of it already. Life is simply not fair. Life often does not seem to care if it is just or not. The one thing that I realized a long time ago is that there is no making sense of a loss of life. It is the most cruel part of life that reminds us that life is worth living as best as we can every day, because we simply don't know when our own bell tolls.


It will be a long while before it really sinks in yet that Johnny is gone. Outstanding player and outstanding human. Though he can no longer create new memories for us, I know I will never forget many of the moments that I have witnessed. Regardless of what your religious beliefs are or aren't, I personally believe that nobody is really gone until they are forgotten. Johnny Hockey will never really be gone for me. I am just unsure as to when I will finally stop expecting him to return to Calgary, but i have never stopped wishing him well and i will continue doing so up there.

I have not taken one thing about him for granted - sometimes they say that you should never meet your heroes. I think Gaudreau was one of the exceptions by all accounts. A damn good player and an even better human. People go out of their way to say this, so I believe it really rings true.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Being an alcoholic is not a choice.

But it does not completely deprive you of the ability to make choices.

This idiot chose to drive.

And not everyone who drinks and drives is an alcoholic. I find it frustrating that people are trying to diagnose this guy on the internet to try and find some excuse or way to pity him. Regardless, even if he is, lots of alcoholics don't drink and drive.

[schteve_d]

Originally Posted by AC

Conroy's statement just got released actually:
https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flam...te-to-gaudreau

Well, here we go, crying again!

[BurningSteel]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Looking forward to drafting Johnny Jr. in 17 years.

Would make for a great story if Guy is able to prep him to follow in his dad's footsteps.

[schteve_d]

Originally Posted by Isikiz

Couple photos for those who aren't able to make it down to the Dome:
From around 5pm today.

That is awesome!

Odd observation, maybe, but I hope all that Gatorade ends up in the hands of the homeless or something and doesn't just end up getting thrown out!

[BigBrodieFan]

Just wanted to check in again and tell you all I am thinking of you. Calgary has done a beautiful job paying tribute, the chalk messages and the flowers and cards break my heart but also lift my spirit, if that makes sense. His whole family is suffering so much. I can’t imagine being excited for my whole family to get together for a wedding, and instead having to prepare for two funerals. Why horrific things happen to great people is something I will never understand. Sending love to you all.

[KipperRules]

Still can not believe this. So devastating and been feeling gutted the past few days. My kids both have multiple Gaudreau jerseys that I bought as they grew up. Our Condolences to all their family, friends, and teammates. A needless tragedy and words cannot begin to express how awful this is.

RIP Johnny & Matthew

[All In Good Time]

Originally Posted by BigBrodieFan

Just wanted to check in again and tell you all I am thinking of you. Calgary has done a beautiful job paying tribute, the chalk messages and the flowers and cards break my heart but also lift my spirit, if that makes sense. His whole family is suffering so much. I can’t imagine being excited for my whole family to get together for a wedding, and instead having to prepare for two funerals. Why horrific things happen to great people is something I will never understand. Sending love to you all.

I’ve seen lots of examples of wonderful support like this across different platforms over the past couple of days.
The best I’ve heard it put is that this event transcends hockey rivalries and requires the support of the hockey community

[Sr. Mints]

I've been avoided this thread all weekend. The incident has been a hard thing to process, and the amount this tragedy has affected me is surprising. RIP, little guy.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Not everyone drink and drive is alcoholic

He is an irresponsible idiot and reckless for sure

I remember reading somewhere that most DUI's involving accidents are from people who rarely drink, I guess alcoholic's either know better not to drive or are just better at it.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Let’s keep this about John and Matthew.

Still hits hard today. Everything feels weird hard to describe.

[bagofpucks]

There were quite a few Gaudreau jerseys and t-shirts at the pride parade today, which was nice to see. RIP Johnny Hockey and Matt.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by bagofpucks

There were quite a few Gaudreau jerseys and t-shirts at the pride parade today, which was nice to see. RIP Johnny Hockey and Matt.

There were quite a few at the Cavalry game as well.

Johnny Hockey: Honorary Canadian and always a Calgarian.

[Johnny Makarov]

Man I don' think this sadness will ever go away. The last time I felt this bad was when we put down my shiba.

[Jetfire]

No, I don't think the sadness will ever go away either. I've been bouncing between the warm nostalgia of watching old highlights and how talented of a player he was, then the flipside I've been crying as tributes have come out and seeing everyone using his and Matt's names in the past-tense, and the overarching tragedy of this past couple days. We'll reach a time where we can smile about him again and fondly remember what an icon he was in this city for a decade, but that pain of how it was ripped away and the poor families left devastated will always linger.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Still impossible to digest.

So senseless/avoidable..

[Royle9]

Very hard to digest anything hockey.
That hollow feeling just continues to come over me when I start thinking players are starting to come back into town.

I should be excited for rookie camp and Penticton, main camp shortly after but yet none of it feels like really going to happen.
Can’t imagine how the players are feeling, it feels surreal as a fan..
life’s just not fair sometimes.

[MissTeeks]

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

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

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

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

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

Unreal.

Thanks for sharing.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

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

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

####.

That is brutally emotional.