Flames hosting candlelight vigil for Johnny Gaudreau, brother Matthew

The Calgary Flames are hosting a candlelight vigil for the late Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew after the pair were killed in a horrific crash last week.

The team announced Tuesday that they are inviting fans to attend a vigil on Wednesday night outside the west entrance of the Scotiabank Saddledome, near a growing memorial that was created by fans last week after news of their tragic deaths broke.

The event will be livestreamed online for any fans who can’t attend in person.

Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed while cycling on a rural two-lane road near their home in Salem, N.J. late Thursday. A suspected drunk driver is facing several charges in connection with the crash, including two counts of death by auto.

“It’s been a challenging few days,” said Flames GM Craig Conroy. “I know that coming out here and seeing all the love and support for Johnny and Matthew, it definitely helps.”

The team says the Wednesday night event will begin at 8 p.m. and is expected to last around 45 minutes. It will include speakers and a 13 minute vigil to begin after sunset.

The event will mark the first day of a 13-day observance where fans can continue to attend the memorial.

Stampede Trail will be shut down between 14 Ave SE and 17 Ave SE for the duration of the event. Attendees are being encouraged to use transit or park in the 11 Ave lot, but pass holder parking will be available for season ticket holders.

More information on the event can be found here.

Saddledome memorial relocated

The team also announced changes to a growing memorial for the brothers that was set up outside the west entrance of the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The team says they will be relocating a portion of the mementos to allow for access to the arena ahead of a Kings of Leon concert on Tuesday night.

Fans are now encouraged to place items in tribute to Johnny and Matthew along the grassy area immediately north of the stairs.

The memorial has continued to grow daily since the death of the brothers was confirmed on Friday. Fans have laid out jerseys, hats, flowers handwritten notes, bags of Skittles candy and bottles of purple Gatorade, to honour longtime Flame Johnny.

“He’ll never be forgotten,” said Conroy. “You want to remember the positives and just move forward as well as you can.”

READ MORE: Flames legend Jarome Iginla pays tribute to Gaudreau brothers

Affectionately known as “Johnny Hockey,” Johnny Gaudreau starred over parts of nine seasons with the Calgary Flames before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022.’

Gaudreau was a seven-time NHL all-star and a Hobey Baker Award winner as the top men’s player in college hockey, despite being undersized at five-foot-nine and 180 pounds.

One of Gaudreau’s most memorable moments as a Flame came on May 15, 2022, when he scored the Game 7 overtime winner to help Calgary eliminate the Dallas Stars in the first round of the NHL playoffs.

With files from The Canadian Press