Montreal Canadiens star forward Cole Caufield honors Johnny Gaudreau by changing his jersey number
Photo credit: The Hockey News
Amid the many tributes to legendary hockey player Johnny Gaudreau, Montreal Canadiens star Cole Caufield made a heartfelt gesture by changing his jersey number to honor him.
The loss of Johnny Gaudreau, a former star for the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, and his brother Matthew, continues to weigh heavily on the hockey community. Fans and players alike have come together to pay tribute with online videos and memorials outside stadiums where Johnny once played.
Among the latest tributes came from 23-year-old Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield, who shared on Instagram how much Johnny Gaudreau meant to him. Caufield revealed that after several years wearing #22 in the NHL, he would return to his old jersey number, #13, to honor Johnny.
He wrote:
"We all lost an amazing person, both on and off the ice, in last week's tragedy. My deepest condolences go to the entire Gaudreau family, especially Johnny's wife and two kids, who I had the pleasure of meeting. Nothing will be able to fill the void in their families and loved ones hearts, but I hope it provides some comfort to know how these two positively impacted the lives of so many. They will truly be missed.
Getting to play with your hero is something that most people only dream of. I was lucky enough to be Johnny's teammate this past summer and it didn't take long to realize how great of a person he was. He was the most welcoming, genuine, and funniest guy I have ever met. He was someone everyone gravitated towards and I took every chance I could to be around him. Not only was he an amazing hockey player and teammate, but he was down to earth and truly cared about every person he encountered.
The last few years playing as #22 have been some of the best years of my life. It truly has been a dream come true and I will forever hold those memories and that number close to me. I wore #13 at a point in my career because of Johnny and now I will be wearing it again to honor him. He paved the way for smaller players and proved we had a future in this game at the highest level. I will forever be grateful to him for inspiring me and others.
Rest in Peace, Johnny hockey."
Getting to play with your hero is something that most people only dream of. I was lucky enough to be Johnny's teammate this past summer and it didn't take long to realize how great of a person he was. He was the most welcoming, genuine, and funniest guy I have ever met. He was someone everyone gravitated towards and I took every chance I could to be around him. Not only was he an amazing hockey player and teammate, but he was down to earth and truly cared about every person he encountered.
The last few years playing as #22 have been some of the best years of my life. It truly has been a dream come true and I will forever hold those memories and that number close to me. I wore #13 at a point in my career because of Johnny and now I will be wearing it again to honor him. He paved the way for smaller players and proved we had a future in this game at the highest level. I will forever be grateful to him for inspiring me and others.
Rest in Peace, Johnny hockey."
This touching gesture will serve as a lasting reminder of Johnny Gaudreau's impact on the game and his enduring legacy in the NHL.
Previously on PuckReporter
| POLL | ||
4 SEPTEMBRE | 49 ANSWERS Montreal Canadiens star forward Cole Caufield honors Johnny Gaudreau by changing his jersey number Do you think Cole Caufield will have a career year next season? | ||
| Yes | 36 | 73.5 % |
| No | 13 | 26.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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