Flames Fans Gather for Heartfelt Candlelight Vigil to Honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
Tonight, the Calgary Flames will host a deeply emotional event as they gather with fans to honor the late Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, in a candlelight vigil outside the Scotiabank Saddledome. Scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. MT, this vigil marks the first day of a 13-day observance for the two brothers, who tragically lost their lives in a cycling accident in New Jersey last week. Both were well-known in the hockey world—Johnny, a star with the Flames and later the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Matthew, also a professional hockey player.
The vigil will take place at the memorial that has been steadily growing outside the Saddledome, where fans have left flowers, jerseys, and written tributes. Tonight's gathering is expected to last around 45 minutes, featuring a poignant 13-minute period of silence shortly after sunset, in memory of the Gaudreau brothers. Flames players, team executives, and special guests will speak during the event, offering their reflections and heartfelt words to a community still grappling with the sudden loss of two beloved figures.
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The event's candlelight component has a modern twist—fans will use digital candles on their smartphones, accessible via the Calgary Flames app, allowing everyone to unite in light, no matter where they are. Those unable to attend in person can also view a livestream of the vigil and sign a digital memory book available through the team's website.
This tragedy has deeply affected not just Calgary but the larger hockey community. In Ohio, where Johnny Gaudreau played after leaving the Flames, the Columbus Blue Jackets are also hosting a simultaneous candlelight vigil. In a touching tribute, both events will include a 13-minute and 21-second period of silence—honoring Johnny’s jersey number, 13, and Matthew’s number, 21.
The Gaudreau brothers’ passing has sparked an overwhelming outpouring of grief and support. Flowers and personal mementos now cover a stretch of concrete outside the Saddledome, with Flames fans regularly stopping by to add their tributes. Among the visitors is Flames general manager Craig Conroy, who spoke about his long connection with Johnny. “He was like one of your kids,” Conroy shared, reflecting on watching Johnny grow from a young star into a devoted husband and father.
Tonight's vigil is more than just a formal event; it's a moment for the Flames community to come together and celebrate the lasting impact Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau had both on and off the ice. Their tragic loss has left a void in the hearts of fans, but their memory will continue to be honored through this vigil and the ongoing 13-day memorial, where fans can pay their respects and share memories.
As the city of Calgary and hockey fans worldwide continue to mourn, tonight’s candlelight vigil is a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy left by two brothers who made a profound impact on the people they touched.
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