After winning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan received an unexpected visit.
Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of Monahan’s late friend and teammate Johnny, flew to Toronto to surprise him with the award. It honors the “player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”
Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew died on August 29, 2024, after a car hit them while they were bicycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, approximately 30 minutes south of Philadelphia. Johnny Gaudreau was 31, while Matthew Gaudreau was 29.
Monahan signed a five-year, $27.5M deal with the Blue Jackets in July 2024 to reunite with Johnny Gaudreau, whom he played with on the Calgary Flames from 2013-22. He admitted he wasn’t sure he could play in Columbus after losing his friend.
“I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was in Columbus for a while and I couldn’t bring myself to the rink,” Monahan told The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline in a story published April 10. “I was pushed to come back to the rink by a few people around me, and once I got here, it really helped me to be out there. I had a lot of support from [Meredith Gaudreau]. She’s a very strong person and that’s something that helped me get by.”
In 54 games, Monahan tied for third on the Blue Jackets in points, with 57 (19 goals and 38 assists).
Along with helping the team go 40-33-9, he supported Meredith Gaudreau throughout the season. In a video posted on the NHL’s X account Thursday, she said Monahan stood by her for “every tribute.” Giving Monahan the award allowed her to show how much she appreciated it.
“Sean, you mean everything to John,” Meredith Gaudreau said in the video while fighting tears. “It’s just really special I could be a part of this, because this one is about you. You persevered through one of the hardest things. You just lead by example. This one is celebrating your character and how good of a person you are. I know John is so proud of you.”
