A beautiful tribute to Johnny Gaudreau by Calgary Flames legend Lanny McDonald

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TJ Tucker
August 30, 2024 (8:17 PM)

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Calgary Flames legend Lanny McDonald has given a beautiful eulogy for Johnny Gaudreauu after the Columbus Blue Jackets forward was killed by an alleged drunk driver

It is a sad day in the hockey world as dozens of current and former NHL players, as well as athletes in other major sports, have paid tribute to Johnny Gaudreau after he and brother Matthew were killed after being hit by an allegedly drunk driver. While there have been many heartfelt tributes, few have been as poignant as one from Calgary Flames and NHL legend Lanny McDonald.

Johnny Gaudreau spent several years with the Calgary Flames organization after being a fourth round draft pick in 2011, and developing into an elite player. Lanny McDonald, who won his only Stanley Cup in the league with the Calgary Flames, recalled a goal Gaudreau scored in game 7 of round 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars which sent the Flames to the second round of the post season for the first time since 2015.

"I was in the 'Dome the night he scored in overtime to send the Flames to the second round of the playoffs in 2022. I swear the foundation of that old building was shaking, the eruption from the crowd was so violently joyous. It was the outpouring of love, awe, and gratitude for our fiery hero...watching the passion and fervour Johnny Hockey played with felt electric."

McDonald added the news of Johnny Gaudreau's death hit him and his family very hard.

"There are no words that can match the tragedy of what has happened. Waking up to the news of Johnny and Matthew's passing hit my family like a ton of bricks, not only for their senseless deaths, but the gripping heartbreak for their loved ones who face the unimaginable. Let the hockey world rally around the Gaudreaus, their families and friends, and although we can't even start to understand the depth of their shock and pain, I hope they are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support."

43-year-old Sean Higgins is the man who has been charged in Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's deaths. He is facing two counts of "death by auto." A criminal complaint obtained by the Associated Press said Higgins told officers he had "five or six beers" before the crash, and that he had been drinking alcohol while he was driving.