I still remember where I was when the Flames selected Johnny Gaudreau. I was sitting on the second floor of my parents’ house, using the family computer. I think I had just finished playing NHL 09 on the PC, the one with Dion Phaneuf on the cover. And I was reading an article on the 2011 NHL Draft, which had taken place in Minnesota that weekend, and I saw his name listed right between ‘Tyler Wotherspoon’ and ‘Laurent Brossoit.’
My first takeaway, no joke, was: ‘Gaudreau’? Like Rob Gaudreau? The old San Jose Sharks flameout from my hockey card collection?
That was probably the extent of the brainpower I devoted to Gaudreau on that sunny June day in 2011. I never anticipated that, in the
years to come, he would take the city of Calgary by storm. After winning the Hobey Baker Award with Boston College in 2014, Gaudreau established himself as a full-time NHLer with the Flames the following season. It didn’t take long for the Saddledome faithful to learn that something exciting could happen whenever No. 13 touched the puck. I’ll never forget the sound of 19,289 people all shifting forward in their seats at once. Gaudreau scored 64 points in his rookie year and led the Flames to their first playoff appearance since 2009, being robbed of the Calder Memorial Trophy in the process. He also formed an unforgettable and long-lasting partnership with centre Sean Monahan, who intended to rejoin him when he signed a five-year deal
With the Blue Jackets this summer. However, those of you who remember the San Jose Sharks’ early years — or, at the very least, had an unhealthy preoccupation with collecting hockey cards — will recall that Rob Gaudreau was a one-hit wonder. After scoring 23 goals in 59 games as a rookie, he only scored 38 goals for the rest of his NHL career. Fortunately for the supporters in Calgary, our Gaudreau was only getting started.
Gaudreau’s 5’9″, 163-pound physique did not hinder him from becoming one of the world’s top players. He had his first 30-goal season in 2015-16, overcame a 21-slash salute from the Minnesota Wild to lead the Flames back to the playoffs in 2017, and came one point shy of the century mark in 2018-19. Flames supporters knew they had something unique in Gaudreau, who reached scoring heights early in his career that rivaled Jarome Iginla and Theoren Fleury. He was a humble man who always made time for his admirers in this hockey-crazed town.
Along the way, we met Matty Gaudreau, whose tenure at Boston College barely overlapped Johnny’s. Matty, who unfortunately died alongside Johnny on Thursday, played four games with the AHL’s Stockton Heat in the 2019-20 season. Fans in Calgary rightfully felt protective of Gaudreau and his family. His parents, Guy and Jane, were regulars at Flames games and rapidly became household names among fans.
Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau’s second child, Johnny Jr., was born earlier this year. Johnny Sr., who turned 31 only a few weeks ago, was preparing for the start of his third season with a Blue Jackets squad on the rise.
It hurt like hell when Johnny left the Flames in 2022, but only because we knew just how good we had it. It was always going to be his decision to make. We’d all just been treated to one of the finest individual seasons by any player in franchise history, with Gaudreau racking up 115 points on a truly dominant line with Matthew Tkachuk and Elias Lindholm as the Flames won the Pacific Division for the second time in four years. Gaudreau’s series-winning goal against the Dallas Stars that year, and his hug with an injured Monahan after being named the game’s first star, was already a legendary moment in Flames history. Now, knowing that those two won’t be able to reunite this season, it
hits like an anvil. Growing up, my initial favourite player was Mike Cammalleri, who raced around the rink and blasted innumerable one-knee one-timers while wearing No. 13. But when Gaudreau came around, there was no doubt that those numerals belonged only to him.
I only had to close my eyes to hear renowned Flames PA announcer Beesley yell, “No. 13, Johnny Gaudreau!” It simply wouldn’t feel right for anyone else to wear that number for a long time.
Johnny Gaudreau deserves to be honored for many weeks, months, and years to come. Remember the good times, hug your loved ones, and never take things for granted.
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