Hockey sticks, jerseys, Skittles: Calgary Flames say items left at Gaudreau brothers memorial will benefit local charities
Posted Sep 16, 2024 8:07 am.
Last Updated Sep 16, 2024 7:42 pm.
After a 13-day period of mourning, the Calgary Flames say the memorial honouring Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau outside the Scotiabank Saddledome will come down Monday.
A wide-range of items were placed outside the arena following the news the brothers were killed while cycling in New Jersey by a drunk driver on Aug. 29, the night before their younger sister’s wedding. This included hockey sticks, flowers, purple Gatorade, and Skittles.
Flames staff will begin carefully removing all those items at 9 a.m., the team says.
Pictures of all the elements of the site have been taken by Flames personnel, including of chalk drawings, posters, signs, personal letters, and messages. The team says the photos will be given to the Gaudreau family in a digital memory book from Flames fans.
Hockey sticks left outside the Saddledome will be used to make benches that will raise money for local charities. Each bench will have a plaque that reads “In memory of Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau,” according to the team.
All the Skittles that can’t be eaten will be counted by the Calgary Flames Foundation which will make a financial donation to the Calgary Food Bank.
The Gatorade bottles will be emptied and donated to the KidSport Calgary recycling program, which turns empties into sport opportunities for local kids in need.
WATCH: Calgary Flames host candlelight vigil for Gaudreau brothers
Toys made of cloth and cotton will be donated to animal non-profit Parachutes for Pets, a charity support by Mikael Backlund and Mackenzie Weegar. The team adds the toys will be used for the Lily and Dexter’ Legacy program – a program that ensures kids in care can stay with their pets by providing essential support such as leashes, collars, vet care, vaccines, and licensing, created by the Backlund family.
Jerseys left at the memorial will be washed and used to design blankets that will be donated to local charities.
Flowers will be collected and sent to compost, while soil from the flower will be deposited in the ground at community parks.
In a statement, the Flames organization says it sincerely appreciates the care and concern fans have shown in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“The outpouring of love and support has been truly comforting,” it adds.
Sean M. Higgins, 43, the man charged in the deaths of the brothers, was in court Friday where it was revealed his blood alcohol level was 0.087 at the time of the crash, above the .08 legal limit.
He is charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. At a virtual court hearing Friday, a judge ordered that he be held for trial after prosecutors described a history of alleged road rage and aggressive driving.
-With files from The Associated Press
