(Video) Flames and Blue Jackets pay EMOTIONAL tribute to Johnny Gaudreau and his brother with special ceremonial face off

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew lost their lives on August 29 when they were hit by an alleged drunk driver in New Jersey.

(Video) Flames and Blue Jackets pay EMOTIONAL tribute to Johnny Gaudreau and his brother with special ceremonial face off

The Flames and Blue Jackets players joined the Gaudreau family for the ceremonial face off (Image via theScore/X)

Emotions were running high on Tuesday night as the Calgary Flames welcomed the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Scotiabank Saddledome. The teams faced off each other for the first time in this arena since the passing of Johnny Gaudreau.

The two teams would come together to pay him and his brother Matthew Gaudreau an emotional tribute with a special ceremonial face-off. Johnny and Matthew were killed while cycling in Oldmans Township in New Jersey on August 29.

YouTube video

The two of them were hit by an alleged drunk driver at around 8 p.m. The two brothers had traveled to the township to participate in the wedding of their sister Katie, who was scheduled to get married the following day.

Johnny spent nine seasons with the Flames before joining the Blue Jackets. The players from the teams would take part in the warmups while wearing jersey number 13 on their backs.

The Flames would welcome Johnny’s wife Meredith, their two children, his father Guy, his mother Jane, and his two sisters Kristen and Katie for this game. The family would take center stage and join the players on the ice for a special ceremonial face-off.

While captain Mikael Backlund joined from the Flames side, the Blue Jackets allowed center player Sean Monahan to go forward. The 30-year-old was Johnny Gaudreau‘s best friend. Monahan played with him on the Flames and then joined the Blue Jackets to remain close to him.

During the ceremony, Monahan broke down and was unable to control his emotions. The Blue Jackets star would later share hugs with his friend’s family as they honored his life.

On this emotional night, the Flames ran away as 3-0 winners with goals from Rasmus Andersson, Kevin Bahl, and Yegor Sharangovich. Bahl scored his first goal as a Flames player in this game.

Flames and Blue Jackets stars reflect on emotional night honoring Johnny Gaudreau

The game between the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets was always going to be an emotional one following the death of Johnny and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. After the game, several stars reflected on this emotional night honoring Johnny Gaudreau.

Johnny Gaudreau
Johnny Gaudreau (Image via Sporting News)

Flames captain Mikael Backlund claimed that there were many mixed emotions running through him. While he was excited to see the Gaudreau family, he felt sad for seeing them in this circumstance.

There were so many emotions. We were so excited to see the family, but also so sad. It’s such a tragedy. It’s so many mixed emotions. It’s the first I’m dealing with it but we’ll get through it. It’s always good to have teammates that were close to Johnny too that we can share stories and connect with each other.

Mikael Backlund said as per NHL.com

Meanwhile, Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger claimed it was nice to see them (the Gaudreau family) in Calgary.

Emotional circumstance there. It’s nice to see the entire Gaudreau clan in Calgary. Them being here, them wanting to be here, and obviously they have all the support in the world from both organizations. Just to see their faces and the smile on their faces is a true blessing.

Cole Sillinger said as per NHL.com

Andersson who opened the scoring in this game, would immediately raise his hand and point towards the Gaudreau family. The defenseman claimed it was “very emotional scoring” for him.

With a win on this special night, the Flames are now 13-9-4 for the season and remain fourth in the Pacific Division table. On the other hand, the Blue Jackets are seventh in the Metropolitan Division with an 11-10-3 record after suffering defeat.