The Gaudreau family comments on Cole Caufield's jersey number change

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Daniel Lucente
September 9, 2024 (1:12 PM)

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When Canadiens forward Cole Caufield changed his jersey number last week to honor Johnny Gaudreau, many were speechless. The Gaudreau family has spoken out.

The passing of Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world, such as the fans, players, coaches, media, and most importantly, their family. Tributes have continuously poured in since this terrible incident took place. Perhaps one of the more touching ones came from Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield, who took to social media not only to offer his condolences but to tell his followers that going forward, he was going to switch his jersey number to 13 in honor of Johnny Gaudreau.

Since that announcement, the Gaudreau family has remained out of the spotlight. That came to an end, however, as the family spoke out for the first time in response to the touching tribute paid to the memories of both Johnny and Matthew courtesy of Cole Caufield.

After Cole Caufield announced it on Instagram, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Kevin Hayes labeled the move a classy tribute.

"Love this eloc," he wrote spelling Caufield's first name backwards.

Not long after, the always-classy Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of Johnny Gaudreau, popped on with an especially touching comment. She mentioned that one of the moments in which Johnny was most proud this summer was playing with Caufield at the World Championships, a key highlight for him that would sadly turn out to be one of his final big moments.

"Highlight of his summer was with you guys. He loves you eloc", wrote Meredith in response to Hayes' original response.

This touching interaction says so much about the legacy that Johnny Gaudreau built and just how much this sport meant to him. As the new season encroaches, many different kinds of tributes to the Gaudreau brothers will be celebrated league-wide, but none as personally or common as that which the Montreal Canadiens are going to carry.

Our continued thoughts and support are with the Gaudreau family as they work through their heartache and healing since the losses of both Johnny and Matthew.

Source: Markerzone
Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau's family responds to Cole Caufield changing his jersey number