He spoke proudly of his mother and father. About how their support, from undersized prospect to big-time star, is the reason he climbed the pro ladder. About how their company kept him grounded, motivated and determined to become not only one of the NHL’s top showstoppers, but also the ultimate father to his two children, Noa and Johnny Jr.

He did it all, even keeping a promise to his mother by finishing his degree at Boston College during the COVID-shortened period when online classes became wildly popular.

“It’s for her,” Gaudreau told me at the time. “I remember when I started this. It was after my sophomore year. I started taking a few classes and I didn’t realize I was only two courses away.

“Then I turned pro and kept putting it off. But I made that commitment to her, and to myself. … I spent a lot of late nights writing papers — and I always took my time, made sure I did it right and didn’t make any mistakes like spelling and grammar. But it was absolutely worth all the hard work.”

For mom? Everything.

And that’s exactly why Gaudreau was different from any other superstar I’ve ever worked with. The youthful enthusiasm with which he approached life (and hockey) seemingly protected him from both the hardships and the magnitude of stardom.

He was humble, kind and had an understated sense of humor that regularly caused his teammates to burst out laughing.

And you can be sure that same outgoing personality is what makes Guy such a pleasure to be around.

One of my favorite Guy Gaudreau stories took place in January 2023 when Johnny was representing the Blue Jackets in the NHL All-Star Game. With much of the festivities on Fort Lauderdale Beach—and the game itself in Sunrise, Florida, just a half-hour away—travel was a nightmare at best.

Then, as fate would have it, the family bus to the rink broke down in the middle of the freeway, leaving Guy and other members of the NHL fraternity desperate for a ride. So, wouldn’t you believe it? There was Guy, playfully sticking out his thumb and to lift on the side of the interstate so he wouldn’t miss any of the action.

It didn’t matter how many times he’d seen him play – Guy didn’t want to miss a second of his son’s big-league adventure.

The tragedy of losing both Johnny and his brother, Matthew, is impossible to comprehend. The lives they both touched and the memories they now leave behind are endless. There were tears in the Saddledome today. Hugs. Thousand-yard stares as we sit just feet away from where Johnny first rose to fame, yet unable to process a painful reality that has rudely awakened us from the excitement of a fast-approaching season.

In the east of the country, the Gaudreau family is currently experiencing immense grief, struggling with the kind of grief that no family should ever have to experience.

And that’s what my thoughts mainly go to:

Irreparable occupied.

I’m typing a piece, tears streaming down my cheeks and I’m not sure how to pay tribute to one of the most impressive athletes our city has ever seen.

Yes, it was the talent that brought him here in the first place.

But it was the kind, decent, radiant human being that kept him and his beautiful family together as Flames forever.

Then, now and always.