DETROIT — Contained in the tongue of Rasmus Andersson’s left skate, he had the title Gaudreau stitched in to honour his longtime teammate and closest of mates.
In his coronary heart, there’s a much more indelible mark left by the reminiscence of Johnny Gaudreau.
The subsequent week gained’t be straightforward for Andersson and a number of other Flames gamers returning to Columbus Friday for the primary time since Gaudreau’s passing.
4 days later, the 2 groups could have a return engagement in Calgary, the place the Gaudreau household will likely be in attendance for a extremely anticipated tribute to No. 13.
“Actually, I don’t need to look too far forward. I am simply gonna attempt to get by way of the sport — to go there will likely be arduous,” mentioned Andersson of Friday afternoon’s sport at Nationwide Area.
“You realize, seeing the banner (with Gaudreau’s title and quantity on it), that form of stuff will likely be robust.
There are in all probability going to be a number of feelings, and rightfully so. Johnny was a pricey buddy.”
Gaudreau’s stall within the Blue Jackets dressing room stays intact, as do recollections of the workforce’s opening evening banner-raising and stirring puck drop that noticed Sean Monahan cross it to his left, the place it remained in Gaudreau’s stead for 13 highly effective seconds.
Andersson thinks of his pal with stirring regularity, has stayed in contact together with his spouse Meredith, and has plans to go to her home and the youngsters, Noa and Johnny, on American Thanksgiving Thursday.
“No matter I can do to assist out his household, I am making an attempt to do as a result of I do know he would have achieved the identical factor if it was the opposite approach round,” mentioned Andersson, who flew in from Sweden to attend Gaudreau’s funeral.
“So that you simply attempt to be there, you attempt to test in on the youngsters and the household as a lot as you’ll be able to, however on the similar time, it is a tremendous line, proper?
“I am excited to see the youngsters. I do know they’re coming dwelling to Calgary too, and hopefully, they’re gonna spend a while at our home, and I simply hope they’ll consider the great occasions they’d in Calgary and keep in mind wanting again at it with a smile.
“He had a number of good years in Calgary and the way beloved he was to everybody in our metropolis.
“I form of stay up for (the Calgary sport on Tuesday) as a result of it is to honour him and is the correct factor to do. However on the similar time, it will be very emotional.
“I simply hope the household has a great time after they’re there and it is not too emotional for them.”
Staring pensively as he spoke of his pal after an non-obligatory skate in Detroit Tuesday, Andersson’s thoughts can be preoccupied by the scare he endured right here virtually two years in the past when a scooter he was driving to dinner was struck by a automobile.
He was knocked unconscious, waking up in an ambulance en path to the hospital, the place he underwent an MRI earlier than they even received his title.
“Yeah, it’s again within the entrance of my thoughts for certain,” mentioned Andersson, who missed per week of motion and later admitted the incident had affected him for for much longer than that.
“I used to be suspended final 12 months, so that is the primary time I’ve performed right here in three years.”
A pacesetter (and main scorer) on a workforce that is among the most nice surprises within the NHL this season, Andersson has rather a lot on his plate.
This journey means a lot to the 28-year-old alternate captain, who can be vying for one of many final spots on Crew Sweden’s vaunted blue line for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Andersson spent elements of six seasons in Calgary with Gaudreau and was reminded at Andrew Mangiapane’s marriage ceremony over the summer season simply how particular their relationship was.
“Aside from Mangy and Backs (Mikael Backlund), Johnny was one in every of my first good, actual mates within the NHL,” mentioned Andersson, a father of two younger youngsters of his personal.
“And we grew nearer and nearer every year we performed collectively. Once we had been at Mangy’s marriage ceremony this summer season I believe we each realized that we miss one another fairly a bit, and we had a lot enjoyable collectively, like we did again within the day. So it is gonna be emotional. I simply do not know what to anticipate, truthfully.”
Ever since Johnny Hockey and his brother Matthew had been struck and killed on Aug. 29 by an alleged drunk driver whereas bicycling on a rural highway, the Blue Jackets have achieved properly to honour each.
The Flames tribute plans have been stored below wraps, however each video games will likely be performed with Johnny on the forefront of everybody’s minds.
“Yeah, I would think about the 2 video games in opposition to them are going to be fairly heavy,” mentioned Blake Coleman, who performed with Gaudreau in Calgary, on a world championship workforce and in opposition to each other as youngsters.
“It is going to be arduous,” added Coleman.
“It is all the time arduous. Seeing Jane and Man on the funeral, and the way heavy it was… it is robust to observe.
“Having three youngsters by myself. I can not fathom going by way of what they’ve gone by way of.
“So I suppose all you’ll be able to actually hope is that being across the workforce hopefully lifts their spirits a bit of bit. They simply get to see how a lot Johnny is remembered and isn’t to be forgotten.”
