We’re used to seeing Cole Caufield wearing No. 22 while playing in the NHL. But next season, he’s changing it to 13 to honor Johnny Gaudreau, who was killed by a suspected drunk driver in New Jersey in August.
Johnny Gaudreau was only 31 at the time of the accident, and his younger brother Matthew, who also died in the accident, was 29.
Cole Caufield wasn’t on the same team as Johnny Gaudreau in the NHL, but they played together for Team USA at the 2024 IIHF World Championships in Prague. And the hockey world absolutely loved when Caufield announced his tribute to Johnny Gaudreau.
”Getting to play with your hero is something that most people only dream of. I was lucky enough to be Johnny’s teammate this past summer and it didn’t take long to realize how great of a person he was. He was the most welcoming, genuine, and funniest guy I have ever met. He was someone everyone gravitated towards and I took every chance I could to be around him. Not only was he an amazing hockey player and teammate, but he was down to earth and truly cared about every person he encountered,” wrote Caufield on Instagram.
According to reporter Andre Tourigny of RDS, it’s actually against NHL rules to change numbers this close to a new NHL season, but the league decided to make an exception and allowed Caufield to make the switch. Caufield’s heartwarming post about the number change has gained close to 200 000 likes so far, and it seems like he has the approval of the Gaudreau family.
Gaudreau’s close friend Kevin Hayes, who also played with Team USA in Prague, commented on the post, saying, ’Love this eloc.’
Eloc is, of course, ‘Cole’ backward, and Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s wife, also left a heartwarming comment.
”Highlight of his summer was with you guys. He loves you eloc,” wrote Meredith in response to Hayes’ comment.
