Canadiens' Cole Caufield swaps jersey number in honour of Johnny Gaudreau
Photo credit: USA Today sports
Montreal Canadiens star Cole Caufield recently made a heartfelt gesture in honor of the late Johnny Gaudreau.
Caufield, who had worn #22 for several seasons, shared his admiration for Gaudreau and his impact both on and off the ice by changing his jersey number to 13, the same number Gaudreau wore during his storied NHL career.
Caufield also shared a beautiful statement on his post;
"We all lost an amazing person, both on and off the ice, in last week's tragedy. My deepest condolences go to the entire Gaudreau family, especially Johnny's wife and two kids, who I had the pleasure of meeting. Nothing will be able to fill the void in their families and loved ones hearts, but I hope it provides some comfort to know how these two positively impacted the lives of so many. They will truly be missed.
Getting to play with your hero is something that most people only dream of. I was lucky enough to be Johnny's teammate this past summer and it didn't take long to realize how great of a person he was. He was the most welcoming, genuine, and funniest guy I have ever met. He was someone everyone gravitated towards and I took every chance I could to be around him. Not only was he an amazing hockey player and teammate, but he was down to earth and truly cared about every person he encountered.
The last few years playing as #22 have been some of the best years of my life. It truly has been a dream come true and I will forever hold those memories and that number close to me. I wore #13 at a point in my career because of Johnny and now I will be wearing it again to honor him. He paved the way for smaller players and proved we had a future in this game at the highest level. I will forever be grateful to him for inspiring me and others.
Rest in Peace, Johnny hockey."
Getting to play with your hero is something that most people only dream of. I was lucky enough to be Johnny's teammate this past summer and it didn't take long to realize how great of a person he was. He was the most welcoming, genuine, and funniest guy I have ever met. He was someone everyone gravitated towards and I took every chance I could to be around him. Not only was he an amazing hockey player and teammate, but he was down to earth and truly cared about every person he encountered.
The last few years playing as #22 have been some of the best years of my life. It truly has been a dream come true and I will forever hold those memories and that number close to me. I wore #13 at a point in my career because of Johnny and now I will be wearing it again to honor him. He paved the way for smaller players and proved we had a future in this game at the highest level. I will forever be grateful to him for inspiring me and others.
Rest in Peace, Johnny hockey."
The announcement came via Caufield's Instagram, where he expressed his sorrow over the loss of Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were tragically lost last week. Caufield's touching words resonated with fans and the hockey community, highlighting the profound impact Gaudreau had on those who knew him.
Caufield's gesture adds to the ongoing tributes to Gaudreau, including numerous videos and memorials posted by fans and players alike. The potential retirement of Gaudreau's number by the league has been discussed, but with Caufield proudly donning #13, his legacy is sure to be honored on the ice this season.
This heartwarming gesture will undoubtedly serve as a poignant reminder of Johnny Gaudreau's enduring legacy in the NHL.
| POLL | ||
3 SEPTEMBRE | 119 ANSWERS Canadiens' Cole Caufield swaps jersey number in honour of Johnny Gaudreau Should the league consider retiring Johnny Gaudreau's jersey number? | ||
| Yes | 68 | 57.1 % |
| No | 51 | 42.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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