Connor McDavid comments on passing of Johnny Gaudreau
The passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau completely shocked the entire hockey world.
While at the NHL media tour, the Oilers superstar Connor McDavid publicly gave his thoughts on the tragedy for the first time. They were bitter rivals during the Battle of Alberta, but McDavid had nothing but respect for Johnny Gaudreau.
»The whole hockey world will miss him. I will miss him. I'm grateful I had the chance to play against him, played playoff series against him, played many heated battles in the Battle of Alberta against him, and got to know him a little bit. I'll miss him a lot. He was a great player and great person, and obviously was taken away way too soon.»
- Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid and Johnny Gaudreau were briefly teammates in the Young Stars team for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. They were competitors on the ice, but respect between NHL players extend beyond rivalries in moments like these. Johnny Gaudreau was a great husband, father, teammate and friend first and foremost. But millions will remember him as an inspirational smaller player that dazzled them with his skill and speed - getting the nickname Johnny Hockey.
Young Blackhawks superstar Connor Bedard had a particularly poignant answer at media day in response to Gaudreau's passing. Bedard mentioned Gaudreau as one of his biggest inspirations as a smaller player, proving to him at a young age that any size player can be elite in the NHL.
«I'm not a big guy. I'm one of the smaller players in the League. Getting to watch someone like him and see him, I guess, dominate the Canucks especially when I was watching at home, he's up there. He's got no excuses. Why can't I do it?
«A lot of people will tell you that same story, but he motivated a lot of people. He was an inspiration.»
- Connor Bedard
A suspected drunk driver fatally struck Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on the night of August 29th, and since then there's been an outpouring of grief from the hockey world. The Gaudreau's funeral was held just a few days ago, but the hockey world will continue to remember them throughout this season, and forever more.
POLL |
SEPTEMBRE 11 | 106 ANSWERS Connor McDavid comments on passing of Johnny Gaudreau Did you watch the funeral service for the Gaudreau brothers? |
Yes | 52 | 49.1 % |
No | 41 | 38.7 % |
See Results | 13 | 12.3 % |
List of polls |
|
2 hours ago | By Ryan Hall Calgary Flames preparing major trade for potential playoff match up vs Edmonton Oilers |
|
3 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Oilers coach Knoblauch gets unusually vocal after brutal penalty call costs team |
|
4 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Previous Brad Marchand comments may take Edmonton Oilers out of trade talks |
|
5 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Oilers coach Knoblauch speaks on demotion for Vasily Podkolzin, insider suggests trade solution |
|
8 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Oilers discussed as primary suitor for blockbuster trade with Boston Bruins |
|
10 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Oilers were close to trade with Pittsburgh Penguins before Canucks move, per insider |
|
11 hours ago | By Liam McCormick Price to trade for goalie upgrade could be surprisingly low for Edmonton Oilers |
|
15 hours ago | By Ryan Hall Oilers GM Stan Bowman has scathing comment on rising NHL salary cap |
Previously on Oilers Daily