Emotional night time anticipated as Flames to pay tribute to Johnny Gaudreau

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Johnny Gaudreau’s presence might be felt on the Saddledome on Saturday night time.

Whereas the precise particulars of how the Calgary Flames are planning to honour Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, might be revealed as they unfold, there might be a second of applause — not a second of silence — to rejoice his Johnny’s most memorable contributions to the Flames.

It’s positive to be an emotional night time, particularly for his former teammates.

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“On the subject of Johnny, there isn’t a managing (the emotion),” stated Flames winger Blake Coleman. “It’s what it’s. It’s going to be slightly emotional simply to see the tribute and really feel his presence with us once more. It’s not only a light-switch you possibly can flip off.

“It’s far more necessary than a sport of hockey and he deserves to be remembered and acknowledged and I’m completely satisfied I get to be right here and see it and be part of it after which, after that, we’ll maintain the sport.”

For the reason that Gaudreau brothers had been killed by a suspected drunk driver on August 29, the hockey world has grieved. There have been tributes and moments of silence for them earlier than video games on the street, together with within the Flames’ season opener towards the Canucks in Vancouver on Wednesday night time. The Canucks additionally made a $50,000 donation to a charity of the Gaudreau household’s alternative.

There’ll absolutely be many extra tributes within the months forward, however Saturday night time might be totally different.

Gaudreau left his mark on Calgary throughout his practically decade-long tenure with the Flames. An enormous, community-led memorial was created on the steps of the Saddledome within the days following the brothers’ tragic passing, and a candlelight vigil drew 1000’s of followers to the rink.

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Saturday would be the first common season sport on the Dome since.

“I believe it’s an incredible factor to do, the suitable factor to do, to honour and keep in mind him in a constructive means,” stated Flames captain Mikael Backlund. “He introduced a lot pleasure to this metropolis and a lot pleasure, so it’s the suitable factor to do. There might be some goosebumps, there are some large highlights, so it is going to be emotional, for positive, however I like that we’re celebrating as an alternative of doing a second of silence.”

Along with what occurs at Saturday night time’s sport, Dustin Wolf has added a tribute to his personal to his goalie masks. The Flames shot-stopper had a picture of Gaudreau painted to the again of the masks that he’ll put on this season.

Whereas Wolf didn’t play in any video games with Gaudreau, he beloved watching him play and understands the influence that No. 13 had on the town of Calgary and the Flames group. Paying tribute felt proper.

“My painter got here up with an thought to point out our help for him and his household,” Wolf defined. “I went by the components of asking (Gaudreau’s household) and getting their approval. He’s so necessary to the town of Calgary and I used to be solely round him a handful of instances, however I wished to have the ability to present that we’re all right here to help him and his household. I felt it was necessary.”

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After the tribute, the Flames have a sport to play towards the Philadelphia Flyers.

They comprehend it is likely to be troublesome to handle the feelings of a house opener and remembering Gaudreau, however that’s not a priority.

Some issues are larger than hockey, and honouring Gaudreau’s lasting legacy is one in all them.

“For some guys, it is going to be one thing that can most positively have an effect on them in another way than different gamers, for positive,” stated Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “I simply suppose you exit and also you play your best sport. That’s actually what it comes right down to. Particularly for 3 or 4 of our gamers, there might be some emotion, surely, in that. It’s exhausting.

“My thought in my head could be exit and keep in mind a number of the good instances and exit and play your best sport. That’s one of the best ways you possibly can exit and play to honour a superb buddy.”

daustin@postmedia.com
On X: @DannyAustin_9

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