This has been probably the hardest week for the Calgary Flames in recent memory, if not ever. It is still hard to fathom that Johnny Gaudreau has passed away and the pain and grief associated with that loss, along with the passing of Matthew Gaudreau, will be felt for a long time.
The Flames have done an amazing job allowing the makeshift memorial on the Saddledome steps to remain up. The growing number of tributes to the former Flames’ star is a constant reminder of his incredible impact in his nearly decade-long tenure with the team and how much he meant to the organization and the city.
The Flames need to do something to honour his legacy this season. Here are a few suggestions worth considering.
All players wear number 13 for warm-ups at the home opener
This is a really easy one. The Flames open their season on the road against the Vancouver Canucks, but play their first home game against the Philadelphia Flyers on October 12. It would be a great night for the team to come out for warm-ups wearing #13 on all of their backs and would be an incredible gesture to honour the Flames superstar.
The team should also honour his passing at the home opener with a moment of silence and a video tribute, but they will certainly do this anyway.
A Gaudreau statue for the new arena
The Flames are just a few years away from a new arena, and ideas for how to make the space and the surrounding area special are top of mind. Instead of putting a statue or mural in the Saddledome, the Flames should find a way to commemorate Gaudreau in the new arena.
One idea would be to put a large statue either inside or outside of the new arena of number 13. Similar to what the Los Angeles Kings did in front of Crypto.com Arena with Wayne Gretzky and others, the Flames should consider doing with Gaudreau. Now, with Calgary’s climate, it may be more fitting to put it inside of the arena than outside, but either way, it would be a cool honour for him.
Clear-coat over the chalk mural in front of the arena
Fans have done such an incredible job of chalking the front of the arena with messages of support for the Flames’ star, and that memory would be beautiful to maintain a little while longer. One cool option would be to clear coat the chalk messages on the concrete to protect them from the elements and allow them to remain an everpresent memory in front of the arena.
While slightly costly to implement and not a permanent solution, this would be a great way to keep the memory alive a little longer. Hopefully, there can be arrangements for high-res photos to be taken to preserve these messages nonetheless.
Donate the 50/50 proceeds to a charity close to his heart
The Flames’ 50/50 draw generates millions of dollars each season, with half going to the winner of the draw and the other half benefitting charity. This year, one option would be to donate the proceeds of the 50/50 to a charity close to Gaudreau’s heart or a charity like MADD Canada, that focuses on preventing drinking and driving. This would be a great way to benefit the community in a way that would be meaningful to the situation.
Make the Flames game against the Columbus Blue Jackets extra special
The Flames play the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 3, in what will be an emotional game. Not only is it the two teams that Gaudreau played for facing off against each other, but it is also Sean Monahan‘s return to the Dome this season.
This is a game that the Flames should try to make extra special. Whether it is a moment of silence, a video tribute, t-shirts for fans in attendance, bobbleheads, or something else, this is a game that the Flames should really make memorable.
Retire number 13
The Flames should really retire number 13. Not only because of the impact he had on the ice but also the way he was able to inspire a whole generation of smaller players that they too could be NHLers. That makes a massive difference in a city that had been without a legend since Jarome Iginla. It doesn’t matter that he left the organization and chose his family over his jersey, all that matters was his impact on and off the ice. Assuming the Gaudreau family agrees, nobody should wear #13 again in this organization.
What should the Flames do?
No matter what the team does, it should honour this moment in a way that is both dignified and befitting of the loss of a star. The team lost one of its own last week and should do something that lasts beyond just this season.
