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Greg Wyshynski, ESPNSep 6, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.
ARLINGTON, Va. — Johnny Gaudreau was Will Smith’s hockey idol.
The 19-year-old San Jose Sharks forward was a Boston College superfan before attending the school where Gaudreau became an NCAA legend. Gaudreau’s presence was everywhere when Smith played at BC, from the record books to the trophy cases inside the Eagles’ arena. Now, the Columbus Blue Jackets star is being remembered inside Conte Forum with flowers and memorial tributes.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother, Matthew, 29, were killed on Aug. 29 by a suspected drunken driver while riding their bikes in New Jersey. It’s a tragedy that continues to reverberate through the hockey world — including among the young players at the NHLPA rookie showcase in Arlington who grew up watching the All-Star winger make magic on the ice.
“He meant everything. Even his nickname: Johnny Hockey. It’s something that’ll live on forever,” Smith said. “It’s tragic news. It’s really tough right now.”
Gaudreau went from Smith’s hockey idol to his teammate on the U.S. national team at the IIHF world championships in Czechia earlier this year. Smith recalled one memorable moment when a contingent of Boston College players — including Gaudreau, Kevin Hayes and Ryan Leonard — played a round of golf together on an off day.
“He was always making us laugh. It was one of those days I’ll always remember,” Smith said.
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Smith’s new teammate Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL draft, never met Gaudreau but still felt the magnitude of his loss.
“You never really expect something like that to happen. And when it does … even if you don’t really know him that well, it definitely it hits you hard. He was someone that I grew up watching as a player,” he said. “With him and Matthew, it’s just a tragedy what happened.”
Celebrini attended Boston University, the archrival of Gaudreau’s Boston College. So did Montreal…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/41136327/nhl-nhlpa-rookies-trades-johnny-gaudreau-cba-celebrini-gauthier-mcgroarty
Author : Greg Wyshynski
Publish date : 2024-09-06 11:22:33
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