CALGARY -- Guy Gaudreau shared some tips, a few chirps and plenty of smiles as an honorary coach for the Calgary Flames at practice Monday.
Gaudreau, the father of Johnny Gaudreau, was there in advance of what will be an emotional game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, FDSNOH) that will serve as tribute to the former Flames forward.
"Johnny was a dear friend and Guy was more often than not around," Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson said. "The circumstances [stink], but it was good seeing him. I told him he's got to help us out there get our goal-scoring going and he had his own conclusion why we were not scoring. It was great. It was great just, you know, talking to him about that. That helps him going through what he's what he's going through.
"We have a long history, me and Guy. It was good seeing him and hugging and seeing him around. Just for him to be on the ice, it's not easy. It's not easy for any one of us and it's definitely not easy for him. This is his therapy, and I told him to come out whenever you want. You always have a spot here on the ice whenever you want. I hope they can make it out more times this year."
Johnny, a forward for the Blue Jackets, and his brother Matthew, a former pro hockey player, died Aug. 29 when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver who has been charged with two counts of death by auto, while riding bicycles near their home in Salem County, New Jersey.
"It's good to see him back where he belongs -- on the ice and laughing and helping out," Flames forward Blake Coleman said of Guy, who coached his sons in Sewell, New Jersey, and Gloucester Catholic High School. "I think it's healing for everybody to be together and spend some time.
"He loves the game of hockey and he loves being around it."
Johnny, who was selected by Calgary in the fourth round (No. 104) of the 2011 NHL Draft, ranks fifth in franchise history with 609 points (210 goals, 399 assists) in 602 regular-season games. He had 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 42 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
In total, Johnny -- a seven-time NHL All-Star and Lady Byng Memorial Trophy recipient as the League's most gentlemanly player in 2016-17 -- had 743 points (243 goals, 500 assists) in 763 NHL regular-season games with the Flames and Blue Jackets.
He played his last two seasons with Columbus after signing as an unrestricted free agent July 13, 2022.
"You want Johnny's legacy to continue to carry on," Coleman said. "It's that expression of 'gone but not forgotten.' Any way we can continue to honor him and share in his memory, I think it's important to continue to do so.
“Hopefully his family enjoys the reunion of coming back to Calgary because I know the people here, they really care about him and want to show their love and appreciation."
That'll come Tuesday.
Calgary will host the Gaudreaus, including Guy and wife Jane, Johnny's wife Meredith and their two children, as well as sisters Kristen and Katie, for the game against Columbus.
"I was super excited when I heard that they were coming here and we were going to honor Johnny and get the chance to see them again after the funeral," Flames captain Mikael Backlund said. "Nice to see the whole family. It's hard, but we want to do what we can to support them and show them how much we appreciate what they did for us and the whole family did for us here in Calgary."
