Canadiens’ Cole Caufield will don No. 13 jersey to honour hero Johnny Gaudreau

Makeshift memorial for Johnny Gaudreau continues to grow, attract visitors in Calgary

Outside the arena where Calgary’s NHL team plays, a memorial features jerseys, flowers and an enormous stretch of concrete covered in tributes written in chalk to pay respect to the 31-year-old hockey player.

Montreal Standard | Breaking News, Stories and PhotosKkritika Suri

Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield is changing his jersey number to honor his hero, Johnny Gaudreau, who tragically passed away while cycling last week.

Caufield announced the heartfelt tribute on his Instagram account on Tuesday, revealing he will wear No. 13 this season in memory of Gaudreau. The two played together for Team USA at the IIHF World Hockey Championship this past May.

“Getting to play with your hero is something that most people only dream of. I was fortunate to be Johnny’s teammate this past summer and quickly realized what an incredible person he was,” Caufield said. “He was the most welcoming, genuine, and funniest guy I’ve ever met.”

Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were cycling when they were hit from behind by a driver last Thursday in New Jersey. They were killed just before their sister’s wedding. Sean Higgins, 43, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.

The hockey community was stunned by their deaths, with tributes flooding in from fans and fellow players like Caufield.

“Nothing can fill the void in their families’ and loved ones’ hearts, but I hope it provides some comfort to know how much these two positively impacted so many lives,” Caufield said. “They will be deeply missed.”

Caufield, who admired Gaudreau’s magnetic personality, said he seized every chance to be around him. He noted that Gaudreau “paved the way for smaller players” and demonstrated that they could have a future in professional hockey.

Earlier in his career, Caufield wore No. 13 out of admiration for Gaudreau and will now return to the number to honor him.

“Not only was he an outstanding hockey player and teammate, but he was down-to-earth and genuinely cared about everyone he met,” Caufield said.

Caufield’s decision to switch from his signature No. 22 quickly received widespread praise on social media, with many calling it a “heartwarming” gesture. One fan described Caufield as a “class act.”

The tribute also resonated with American hockey fans. Gaudreau, who spent most of his career with the Calgary Flames, had recently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets. One fan remarked that they planned to buy a new Caufield jersey, describing the tribute as “beautiful.”