I still remember where I was when the Flames drafted Johnny Gaudreau.
I was sitting at my family computer on the second floor of my parents’ house. 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.
But, for those of you who remember the early years of the San Jose Sharks — or, at least, had an unhealthy obsession with collecting hockey cards — you’ll know that Rob Gaudreau was a one-hit wonder. After scoring 23 goals in 59 games as a rookie, he managed just 38 goals in the rest of his NHL career. Luckily for the fans in Calgary, our Gaudreau was just getting started.
Despite his 5’9″, 163-pound frame, Gaudreau quickly dispelled any concerns that his lack of size would prevent him from becoming one of the best players in the world. He posted 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 within one point of the century mark in the 2018-19 season.
Flames fans immediately knew they had something special in Gaudreau, who reached offensive heights early on in his career to rival those of Jarome Iginla and Theoren Fleury before him. He was a humble guy who always had time for his fans in this hockey-crazy city.
Along the way, we briefly got to know Matty Gaudreau, whose time at Boston College only barely overlapped with Johnny’s. Matty, who also tragically passed away alongside Johnny on Thursday, appeared in four games with the AHL’s Stockton Heat during the 2019-20 season.
Fans in Calgary understandably always felt protective over Gaudreau and his family. His parents, Guy and Jane, made regular appearances at games over the years and quickly became beloved household names among Flames fans.
Earlier this year, Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau welcomed their second child, Johnny Jr., to their family. Johnny Sr., who turned 31 just a couple of weeks ago, was gearing up for the start of his third season with a Blue Jackets team on the upswing.
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 with the weight of an anvil.
My first favourite player growing up was Mike Cammalleri, who darted around the ice and hammered countless one-knee one-timers while wearing No. 13. But when Gaudreau came around, there was never any doubt that those digits belonged to him alone.
I only need to close my eyes for a moment to hear legendary Flames PA announcer Beesley exclaim: “No. 13, Johnny Gaudreau!” It just wouldn’t feel right for anyone else to wear that number for a long, long time.
Johnny Gaudreau deserves to be celebrated for weeks, months, and years to come. Remember the good times, hug your loved ones, and never take anything for granted.
