Flames honor Johnny Gaudreau as father has emotional moment and reveals wife’s tattoo

It was an emotional evening in Calgary as the Flames and Blue Jackets honored former forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau following their tragic deaths in a bicycle accident on August 29 in New Jersey.

The brothers’ mother and father, Jane and Guy, and sisters Katie and Kristen, as well as Johnny’s wife, Meredith, and their children, Noah and Johnny Jr., took part in a celebratory face-off before Tuesday’s game at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Johnny played his first nine seasons in Calgary – where he earned the nickname “Johnny Hockey” – and spent his final two seasons in Columbus.

Guy, who attended the Flames’ practice on Monday, led the puck drop with his family as fans held up their flashlights.

When the Flames honored Johnny with a video tribute, there wasn’t a dry eye in the arena.

It was the first duel between Johnny’s two former teams in Calgary.

Both teams wore Gaudreau jerseys during warmups, and Flames goaltender Dan Vladar wore a special mask honoring Johnny and Matthew.

Johnny was named the game’s first star following Calgary’s 3-0 win over Columbus.

Guy took the ice to accept the honor and then hugged Johnny’s former teammate, Calgary captain Rasmus Andersson.

Andersson scored the game’s first goal midway through the second period, then looked up at Johnny’s family and saluted.

“It was the most emotional goal I have ever scored,” he said after the game.

Meredith also revealed her first tattoo honoring Johnny on her wrist, which features Johnny’s signature, in an interview with SportsNet.

Johnny’s family traveled to Calgary this week for the ceremonial game.

Johnny and Matthew were killed when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver on a rural road in Salem County, New Jersey, on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding.

The driver was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter, as well as reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Meredith said she wanted fans to see the couple’s children and for her family to receive a warm welcome in Calgary.

“Everyone was so welcoming,” she said. “It almost feels like you’ve never left when you’re here for a few days, so many familiar faces. And, you know, I spent so much time here, so a lot of great memories.”