Memorials for Gaudreau Growing Outside Saddledome in Calgary & Nationwide Arena in Columbus

After the tragic deaths of former Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, fellow players, teammates, media and everyone associated with hockey and even other sports began posting their heartfelt condolences. 

But fans of both teams haven't been left out, as memorials at both Nationwide Arena in Columbus and the Saddledome in Calgary have been growing throughout the day, as fans have been coming to lay wreaths, jerseys, flowers and other signs of condolences, love & appreciation.

In Calgary, fans paid tribute to the player who thrilled them for over eight years. 

Main West Entrance of our #Saddledome is a Memorial set up for #Calgary fans to drop off flowers & purple Gatorade

I was therefore a bit & had to leave as my eyes were getting too wet

Best part I saw #Oilers fans bringing 💐 #NHL fans paying respect #sad #Flames #EventsGuy pic.twitter.com/ueJfI9l8AS

— Rick Tulsie (@RickTulsie) August 30, 2024

“I think it was just that I need his family to know how important he was and still is to the city of Calgary and to Calgary Flames fans,” Diane Barron told the Calgary Herald. She brought flowers and her dog who was wearing a Flames jersey. “It’s really all we can do. What else can we do? It’s just devastating".

In Columbus, flowers and hockey sticks were among the items brought, to share memories of the hockey player, friend and, first & foremost, family man who was taken far too soon. 

Fifth line members have started a memorial at Nationwide Arena for Johnny Gaudreau. Fans have been contributing to it all day. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/0jOkgwHMGT

— Kellyanne Stitts (@KellyanneStitts) August 30, 2024

One fan made the nearly two-hour trip from Cincinnati to mourn Gaudreau. 22-year-old Stephen Banks told nhl.com that Johnny Hockey's signing in Columbus brought him to the sport. 

“Johnny is what got me back into hockey,” Banks said. “He signed (with the Blue Jackets) on my birthday (July 13, 2022), and just watching him, it was electric. He's what got me to start playing hockey in the first place.”

This evening, fans held a candlelight vigil for the Gaudreau brothers outside Nationwide Arena. 

Fans gathered at NWA for a candlelight vigil for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. #cbj pic.twitter.com/mThTgOveMW

— The Hockey News-Columbus (@F1RETHECANNON) August 30, 2024

Fans everywhere are continuing to mourn the senseless and devastating deaths of the brothers, at the hands of a suspected drunk driver.