Johnny Gaudreau was a hockey superstar that captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Regardless of your NHL allegiance, the name “Johnny Hockey” was synonymous with breathtaking skill and Hollywood-style success. At just 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds, Gaudreau defied the odds to become a top player, touching the lives of many along the way.
Tragically, the hockey community mourned the loss of Johnny and his brother, Matthew, in a biking accident. The outpouring of support from fans, athletes, and even political figures was a testament to the impact the Gaudreau family had on so many.
The well-loved Gaudreau family was now facing unimaginable sorrow and loss. Amidst the devastation, tributes poured in from all corners of the sports world, highlighting the impact Johnny had on everyone he touched.
Johnny’s journey from a young phenom to an NHL star was marked by resilience and determination. Despite being overlooked for his size, he rose to the top, earning respect and admiration along the way. His decision to join the Columbus Blue Jackets brought new hope to the franchise and endeared him to fans in Ohio.
His impact on the team and the city was profound, setting the stage for a promising season ahead. The loss of Johnny Gaudreau leaves a void that will be felt deeply by all who knew him.
As the hockey community mourns the loss of a true talent and a remarkable person, we remember Johnny Gaudreau as more than just a hockey star – but as a symbol of resilience, hope, and unwavering spirit.
The legend of Johnny Hockey started when he was, oh, 8 or 9 years old, weaving through and around players twice his size in local rinks around New Jersey and Philadelphia. He continued to dazzle through his teen years even as he was passed over repeatedly in tryouts for elite programs.
He later spent one year (at age 18) playing in Dubuque, Iowa, in the United States Hockey League before heading to Boston College. Longtime NHL scout Brian Bates scouted him several times in Dubuque.
“Every pregame warm-up I’d wonder why they had a really young kid out there; he was so small,” Bates said. “That was my first thought every time … until he touched the puck and started skating. So small, but so skilled, and so much stronger than his fragile-looking build.”
Gaudreau was listed at 5-6, 137 pounds at the NHL scouting combine in 2011, his draft year, but that measurement might not have been exact. Guy Gaudreau once told The Athletic’s Hailey Salvian that they put two or three pucks in his jock strap to add a few pounds before his weigh-in at the combine.
When the Flames drafted him in the fourth round that year — No. 104 — it was a surprise to many, including Gaudreau, who stayed home to play in a tournament organized by his dad rather than attend the draft in St. Paul, Minn.
