Flames are ready to show Gaudreau “love and appreciation.”

CALGARY– Guy Gaudreau, as honorary coach of the Calgary Flames, gave some tips, a few chirps and lots of smiles at Monday’s practice.

Gaudreau, the father of Johnny Gaudreau, was in attendance before an emotional game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, FDSNOH) that will serve as a tribute to the former Flames forward.

“Johnny was a dear friend and Guy was there most of the time,” Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson said. “The circumstances (stink), but it was good to see him. I told him he had to be out there helping us score our goals and he had his own conclusion as to why we weren’t scoring. It was great. It was just great.”, you know, talking to him about it, it helps him get through what he’s going through.

“We have a long history, me and Guy. It was nice to see him and hug him and have him around. It’s not easy for him alone to be on the ice. It’s not easy for any of us and it’s definitely not easy for him.” This is his therapy and I’ve told him to always come out whenever he wants.

Johnny, a forward for the Blue Jackets, and his brother Matthew, a former professional hockey player, died Aug. 29 when they were struck by a suspected drunken driver in two counts of driving while they were in Biking near her house in Salem County, New Jersey.

“It’s good to see him back where he belongs — on the ice, laughing and helping,” Flames forward Blake Coleman said of Guy, who coached his sons in Sewell, New Jersey, and at Gloucester Catholic High School . “I think it’s healing for everyone to be together and spend some time.

“He loves the game of hockey and he loves being involved.”

Johnny, who was selected by Calgary in the fourth round (No. 104) of the 2011 NHL Draft, ranks fifth in franchise history with 609 points (210 goals, 399 assists) in 602 regular season games. He scored 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 42 Stanley Cup playoff games.

Overall, Johnny – a seven-time NHL All-Star and recipient of the 2016-17 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the league’s Gentleman’s Player of the Year – scored 743 points (243 goals, 500 assists) in 763 regular-season NHL games. the Flames and Blue Jackets.

He played his final two seasons with Columbus after signing as an unrestricted free agent on July 13, 2022.

“They want Johnny’s legacy to continue,” Coleman said. “It’s that expression of ‘gone but not forgotten.'” Any way we can continue to honor him and share in his memory, I think it’s important to continue to do so.

“Hopefully his family enjoys the reunion when they return to Calgary because I know the people here, they really care about him and want to show their love and appreciation.”

That’s coming on Tuesday.

Calgary will host the Gaudreaus, including Guy and his wife Jane, Johnny’s wife Meredith and their two children, and sisters Kristen and Katie, for the game against Columbus.

“I was super excited when I heard they were coming here and we were going to honor Johnny and get a chance to see them again after the funeral,” Flames captain Mikael Backlund said. “It’s nice to see the whole family. It’s hard, but we want to do what we can to support them and show them how much we appreciate what they and the entire family have done for us here in Calgary.”