In a heart-wrenching announcement, the Montreal Canadiens revealed that forward Cole Caufield will be changing his jersey number for the upcoming season to honor the late Johnny Gaudreau, a beloved member of the hockey community. Caufield will now don the No. 13 on his jersey, a poignant tribute to a man who left a lasting impact on everyone he met.
“We lost an amazing person, both on and off the ice, in last week’s tragedy. My deepest condolences go to the entire Gaudreau family, especially Johnny’s wife and two kids, who I had the pleasure of meeting,” shared Caufield on Instagram. “Nothing will be able to fill the void in their families’ loved ones and hearts, but I hope it provides some comfort to know how these two positively impacted the lives of so many. They will truly be missed.”
Reflecting on his time with Gaudreau, Caufield expressed his admiration for his teammate, calling him his hero. “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,” said Caufield. “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.”
Caufield’s decision to switch to Gaudreau’s former number, 13, is a symbolic gesture of gratitude and respect towards the player who inspired him. “The last few years playing as #22 have been some of the best years of my life. It truly has been a dream come true and I will forever hold those memories and that number close to me. I wore #13 at a point in my career because of Johnny and now I will be wearing it again to honor him,” shared Caufield emotionally. “He paved the way for smaller players and proved we had a future in this game at the highest level. I will forever be grateful to him for inspiring me and others. Rest in Peace, Johnny hockey.”
Caufield has sported the No. 22 since joining the league in 2020-21, but his bond with Gaudreau goes beyond just numbers. The two shared the ice for Team USA at the IIHF World Hockey Championship last May, a memory that Caufield will cherish forever.
Following the tragic news of Gaudreau’s untimely passing, Caufield was one of many players who paid tribute to the fallen star. “Always my hero,” Caufield wrote, encapsulating the admiration and respect he held for Gaudreau.
The devastating incident, which took the lives of Johnny and his brother Matthew, unfolded in Oldmans Township, N.J., when a driver struck them while they were biking. The driver, Sean Higgins, 43, was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and suspected to be impaired.
As the hockey world mourns the loss of Johnny Gaudreau, Cole Caufield’s gesture of changing his number serves as a poignant reminder of the impact one player can have on others. Gaudreau’s legacy will live on through those he inspired, like Caufield, who will carry on his memory with pride and honor on the ice.
