'Always meant to be legendary': Emotional vigil for Gaudreau brothers in Calgary draws hundreds
Event marks beginning of 13-day observance for fans to visit a makeshift memorial near the Flames arena
After cheers, and chants of "Johnny! Johnny!," a hush fell over the crowd in front of the Saddledome on Wednesday night.
The hundreds of people gathered there (most of them donning Johnny Gaudreau's signature #13 jersey) took 13 minutes of silence to honour the memories of the former Calgary Flames star and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, at a candlelight vigil.
The brothers were fatally injured in a collision while biking in their home state of New Jersey last Thursday, a day before they were set to be groomsmen in their sister Katie's wedding.
While many held back tears, some let them fall freely. People alternated between holding their head in their hands, and staring up at the stairs of Calgary's arena where flowers, purple Gatorade (Johnny's drink of choice) and handwritten signs from adoring fans have piled up over the past week.
The vigil marks the beginning of a 13-day observance for fans to visit the memorial and pay their respects. Known as "Johnny Hockey," he spent eight full seasons with the Flames.
Before the vigil portion of the evening began, there were stories to be shared.
Members of the Calgary Flames, including players and their families, gathered on the west stairs of the Saddledome, while several former and current players took turns behind the podium.
One of those was Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund, who took a moment to gather himself before he began speaking.
"For me, Johnny was a great teammate and friend," said Backlund.
"I remember sitting on my couch in my apartment in Calgary, watching 'Johnny Hockey's' first NHL game. Of course he scored a goal right away."
Backlund said there was a lot of hype around Johnny when he came to play for the Flames, and he delivered right away.
Before games, Backlund said Johnny would often show up in Ugg boots and a beanie, and liked to play soccer in the dressing room. He also remembered his relaxed and happy personality.
"I'm going to miss that smile. I'm going to miss Johnny chirping me about everything like he always loved to do.... He would always say, 'C'mon Backs, talk to the coach and get us a day off. C'mon Backs, loosen up ... its just hockey.'"
Flames icon and Hockey Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald also took to the stage to share his memories of Johnny, and the legacy that he and Matthew left behind.
"Johnny didn't crave the spotlight, but with that big smile, and those fast hands, he couldn't outrun his fate," said McDonald.
"He carried this big hockey town on his small frame.... He was proof it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog."
McDonald added Johnny was a role model and hero for young hockey players across Calgary who saw themselves in him.
"Time doesn't heal all wounds ... but time may offer us perspective. I hope with time you can come to this conclusion: that Johnny and Matthew are leaving a legacy greater than they could have ever imagined, farther reaching than just hockey.... They were always meant to be legendary."
Last to speak before the moment of silence began was Flames GM Craig Conroy, who helped sign Johnny Gaudreau and bring him to Calgary in the first place.
Conroy spoke about Johnny's obvious talent even as a young player, and described the once-in-a-lifetime chemistry he shared with fellow teammate Sean Monahan.
"To see that bond with those two people grow and become the friends they are.... It's a special, special thing. Him and Monny's relationship was something I've very seldom seen in the NHL."
After the vigil ended, sombre salutes of "Thank you Johnny," rung out above the crowd.
The Flames organization has relocated a portion of the fan-created memorial to the lawn north of the stairs on the west side of the Saddledome, and are encouraging fans to leave any additional tributes on the grass there.
Calgary legend Jarome Iginla, who is now special adviser to the Flames' general manager, shared a statement on the team's website Tuesday, offering his condolences to the Gaudreau family.
"While I never had the privilege to play with Johnny, the times we met or played against each other, I could feel how special he was. His love of the game and positive energy radiated from him. 'Johnny Hockey' made our sport better in many special ways," Iginla said.
"My family and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to have spent time with him, and we will always be his fans."
Hockey great Jaromir Jagr posted an Instagram message Tuesday in Czech, translated to English by the social media app's built-in feature.
Jagr shared the message along with a clip of his last goal in the NHL, which was assisted by Gaudreau while they were Flames teammates in 2018.
"Unfortunately, life can sometimes be incredibly cruel," Jagr said. "Thank you Johnny Gaudreau for being there and giving hope to all the guys with your incredible performances that though they are not the biggest and toughest, they can succeed at the NHL world class just like you did."
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With files from Joey Chini