‘A humble superstar’: Johnny Gaudreau will be honored tonight when the Flames take on the Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew will be honored tonight before the Calgary Flames take on Columbus, on the same ice where Johnny took his place as a valued member of the city’s hockey community.

The tribute marks the first home game between the Flames and Blue Jackets since the Gaudreau brothers were killed by a suspected drunk driver in August in New Jersey.

A ceremonial puck drop and video montage will be broadcast before the game to honor the legacy of the former Flame, who spent nine seasons with the team. Both Blue Jackets and Flames players will also wear special jerseys during warmups.

The entire Gaudreau family will be at the Saddledome tonight for thanksgiving, their first trip back to the city since their loss.

Guy Gaudreau, Johnny’s father, took the ice with the Flames team during practice on Monday as an honorary coach. The elder Gaudreau was a high school hockey coach in New Jersey for many years.

“It was certainly nice to have him out there,” Flames head coach Ryan Huska said afterward.

“There were some memories and some good stories that made us all laugh and we asked him to teach our boys how to score goals. He’s done a good job with his son, so we asked him if he could help some of our players today.” ”

Captain Mikael Backlund said Guy had some tips to share.

“He said I still have my speed in my hands… and yeah, he told me to just go to the net, hang around the net and then you’ll score goals.”

Backlund added that while seeing Guy again was an emotional day, it was good to have him back on the team.

“It’s hard, but we want to do what we can to support them and show them that we really appreciate what the whole family here in Calgary has done for us.”

Also on Monday, other members of the Gaudreau family joined in the unveiling of the first of a half-dozen hockey stick benches with engraved plaques for Johnny and Matthew that will be placed at local community arenas around the city.

The sticks that make up each bench come from the monument that grew on the steps of the Saddledome in September Honor the brothers.

Former Flame Sean Monahan played eight seasons with Gaudreau in Calgary before signing with Columbus and reuniting with his buddy from that team on the ice.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t like Johnny… He’s funny, outgoing, shy and very generous at the same time. He’s just a humble, unassuming superstar,” Monahan said.

“He had a big impact on this city, a big impact on the league and touched a lot of people’s lives.”

The puck drops tonight at 7 p.m