Gaudreau’s memory ‘will live on forever,’ says Tkachuk

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Matthew Tkachuk has had some major ups and downs this summer.

The 26-year-old forward helped the Florida Panthers win their first-ever Stanley Cup on June 24, when they defeated the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the final. But just over two months later, on August 29, his close friend and former teammate Johnny Gaudreau was killed, along with his brother Matthew, after they were hit by a car while riding their bikes in Salem County, New Jersey.

“Of all the great things that have happened this summer, the things that have happened in the last few weeks have almost been overshadowed,” Tkachuk said.

“It was a terrible time. It really was. It was the saddest thing I’ve ever seen or heard. I managed to go to the service (in Media, Pa., on Sept. 9) and it was just heartbreaking.

“Johnny is one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever played with. But he was more than just a teammate to me, he was a great friend. It doesn’t matter if you knew them, played against them, or even if you have a sibling, everyone can relate to that. It was scary. You’ll always carry something with you. He’ll always be with me.”

Tkachuk, who was selected by the Calgary Flames with the sixth pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, played his first six NHL seasons with Gaudreau, who was selected by the Flames in the fourth round (No. 104) of the 2011 NHL Draft. In 2021-22, their final season together in Calgary — Gaudreau would sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent on July 13, 2022, nine days before Tkachuk was traded to Florida — each player set NHL career records in goals, assists and points at the time. Tkachuk, who was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team, scored 104 points (42 goals, 62 assists) in 82 games, while Gaudreau, who was named to the NHL First All-Star Team, scored 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) in 82 games.

“He’s the most talented offensive player I’ve ever seen,” Tkachuk said. “It was a huge honor to play with him. You all saw what he did on the ice. I was the lucky guy in that room who had a great relationship with him off the ice. Those are the memories I’ll take away, but it was scary. It really was.”

Tkachuk isn’t the only Panthers player with direct ties to Gaudreau. Forward Sam Bennett was also his teammate in Calgary from 2015-21, and defenseman Adam Boqvist played with him in Columbus the past two seasons before signing with Florida on July 9.

That will have even more significance for the Panthers on October 15 when they travel to Columbus to play the Blue Jackets in their season opener at Nationwide Arena.

On Wednesday, the Blue Jackets announced that instead of traditional Opening Night activities, they will be celebrating the Gaudreau brothers. They will also wear a patch of Johnny’s No. 13 on their jerseys, which fans in attendance will also receive.

As for the Blue Jackets themselves, coach Dean Evason emphasized to his players to “tell stories, reminisce, laugh” about their time with Gaudreau. Captain Boone Jenner said the emotions will stay with them “for a long, long time.”

Both of these views were shared by Tkachuk.

“I think everybody did a great job of telling stories and keeping him around because that’s what he would have wanted, for us to smile at him and tell funny stories about what a great player and teammate he was,” Tkachuk said. “But he was a better guy, so his memory will last forever. My memories will last forever.

“I feel like every week last year I told someone a Johnny story. I’ll keep doing that.”