Calgary Flames fans will have the chance to come together and grieve Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
The two brothers were killed while riding their bikes in Salem, N.J. on Thursday night and there has been an outpouring of love and grief in the days since, both in Calgary and around the sporting world.
On Wednesday, Sept. 4, the Flames will be hosting a candlelight vigil outside the west entrance of the Saddledome, where fans have created a memorial since they first heard the tragic news on Friday morning.
The vigil will mark Day 1 of a 13-day observance for fans to continue to visit the memorial and pay tribute to Johnny and Matthew.
Johnny, who wore No. 13, starred for the Flames for nine years before signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022 and became one of the most beloved players in franchise history. He is fifth all-time in points and had an impact on the Calgary community that went miles beyond his dazzling performances on the ice.
Wednesday’s event will begin at 8 p.m. and is expected to last 45 minutes. It will include a 13-minute vigil for the brothers shortly after sunset, which should be at 8:14 p.m. The “candlelight” portion of the vigil will be a special digital candle that will be available to those who attend on their smartphones via the Flames app.
There will also be speakers from the Flames who will pay tribute to both. A livestream of the event and a digital memory book will be made available at www.calgaryflames.com.
A portion of the mementos that were dropped off at the memorial for the Gaudreaus on the Saddledome steps is being moved, both in preparation for the vigil and to accommodate a concert at the Saddledome on Tuesday night. The Flames are encouraging fans to use the grassy area immediately north of the stairs as the site of the memorial moving forward.