Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's Calgary memorial removed
"An enduring tribute strategy has been thoughtfully implemented to assure Flames fans that the legacy of the organic memorial will live on for years to come," the team said in a news release on Monday.
After 13 days of Calgarians leaving tributes such as purple Gatorade and Skittles on the steps of the Saddledome in honor of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, officials have begun the process of removing the display.
At 9 a.m., staff arrived to start packing up the thousands of items left behind by fans.
However, the items won’t simply be discarded. The Calgary Flames have ensured that the memorial’s messages, signs, and artwork have been carefully documented and photographed for preservation, and the remaining items will benefit the community.
“A thoughtful tribute strategy has been implemented to assure Flames fans that the legacy of the organic memorial will endure for years to come,” the team said in a news release on Monday.
Details on the tribute strategy, for items left by fans at the Gaudreau Memorial.
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) September 16, 2024
Among the items placed at the arena were jerseys, hockey sticks, flowers, purple Gatorade, and Skittles. Purple Gatorade was the favorite drink of Gaudreau and his former linemates, Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm, while Johnny’s dad used Skittles as a reward during his childhood skating lessons.
The Calgary Flames announced that hockey stick benches will be crafted and used in fundraising efforts for local charities, with plaques reading, "In memory of Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau."
Toys like teddy bears will be donated to Parachutes for Pets, a charity supported by Mikael Backlund and Mackenzie Weegar. These toys will be part of the Lily and Dexter Legacy program, which helps children in foster care stay with their pets by providing essentials like leashes, collars, vet care, vaccines, and licensing. The program was created by the Backlund family.
Jerseys from the memorial will be cleaned and transformed into blankets for local charities, flowers will be composted and used in Calgary’s parks, and empty sports drink bottles will be recycled through the KidSport Calgary program.
As for the Skittles, which are no longer safe for consumption, they will be counted, and the Calgary Flames Foundation will make a donation to the Calgary Food Bank in their place.
Other miscellaneous items will be collected, sorted, and reviewed before being repurposed.
“The Calgary Flames deeply appreciate the care and support shown by Flames fans and the entire community during this difficult time. The overwhelming outpouring of love has been truly heartwarming,” the team said.
