Items nonetheless sitting on the web site of a large makeshift memorial in Calgary to honour the lifetime of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew had been to be faraway from the place they lay outdoors the Scotiabank Saddledome on Monday morning.
“With the conclusion of the 13-day dedicatory interval, starting at 9 a.m. as we speak, the Calgary Flames will begin the cautious removing of all memorial objects left by followers to indicate help for the Gaudreau household,” the hockey membership mentioned in a information launch.
The beforehand introduced “dedicatory interval” had been set as 13 days to match the jersey quantity Gaudreau wore when he performed a starring function with the Flames.
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau died late final month after they had been struck by a car whereas using their bicycles in New Jersey. Police mentioned investigators suspect the motive force of the car was impaired and he has been charged.
On Monday, Flames officers mentioned they need to guarantee the membership’s hockey followers that “the legacy of the natural memorial will reside on for years to return.”
Flowers and memorabilia for former Calgary Flames participant Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew lie on the grass outdoors the Saddledome in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. The brothers had been struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver final week whereas biking close to their childhood house in New Jersey.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
“The Calgary Flames sincerely recognize the care and concern demonstrated by Flames followers and the complete group by way of this troublesome interval,” membership officers mentioned.
“The outpouring of affection and help has been really comforting.”
After ending his U.S. school hockey profession, Johnny Gaudreau graduated to the NHL the place he spent eight full seasons enjoying for the Flames and placing up spectacular offensive numbers. In 2022, he signed a contract to affix the Columbus Blue Jackets, saying that he and his household wished to be nearer to kinfolk in New Jersey.
The memorial outdoors the Saddledome attracted giant numbers of tourists, some who drove hours to have the ability to go to it and to pay their respects. It was additionally the location of a candlelight vigil for the Gaudreau brothers earlier this month that had been organized by the Flames.
The objects being eliminated Monday embody jerseys, hockey sticks, flowers, purple sports activities drinks and Skittles candies.
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What Flames plan to do with objects faraway from memorial
The Flames mentioned indicators and messages written in chalk on the web site have been “exactly photographed, together with all chalk drawings, posters, indicators, private letters and messages.”
“The images will probably be offered to the Gaudreau household as an eternal digital reminiscence e-book from Flames followers,” the membership mentioned.
With the hockey sticks that will probably be eliminated, the membership plans to create hockey stick benches “that will probably be utilized in fundraising efforts for native charities.”
The luggage of Skittles will probably be counted and the Calgary Flames Foundation will “make a commensurate monetary contribution to the Calgary Food Bank.”
The Flames mentioned sports activities drink bottles left on the web site will probably be emptied and donated to the KidSport Calgary recycling program.
Stuffed toys like teddy bears will probably be donated to Parachutes for Pets, a charity supported by present Flames gamers Mikael Backlund and Mackenzie Weegar.
“These will probably be used for the Lily and Dexter Legacy program — a groundbreaking program guaranteeing youngsters in care can stick with their pets by offering important help reminiscent of leashes, collars, vet care, vaccines and licensing,” the Flames mentioned.
Jerseys left on the web site will probably be washed and used to design blankets that will probably be donated to native charitable organizations, the Flames mentioned.
Flowers will probably be composted and the soil from the flowers will probably be deposited into the bottom at group parks in Calgary.
On Sept. 9, a funeral was held for the Gaudreau brothers at a Pennsylvania church. Johnny’s spouse Meredith and Matthew’s spouse Madeline mentioned they are going to be remembered as loving fathers and husbands who all the time put household first whereas sharing an extremely shut bond as brothers.
At one level, Meredith spoke about how a lot she appreciated the help for her household from Calgarians within the aftermath of the tragedy.
“Calgary had such a particular place in John’s coronary heart and mine,” she mentioned on the funeral, including she has been “blown away” by Calgarians’ love and help. “(I’m) not shocked in any respect.
“I obtained to expertise first-hand what variety individuals you might be.”
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