Flames reveal plan for handling items from Gaudreau memorial

Following a 13-day dedicatory period for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau at the Saddledome, the Calgary Flames will start the next part of the tribute on Monday.

The Flames unveiled their plan to distribute items left at the arena to remember the Gaudreau brothers, who died last month when they were hit by a suspected drunk driver while bicycling in New Jersey.

Here are details of the plan.

Signs, messages and chalk: Photographs of the entire site will be given to the Gaudreau family.

Hockey sticks: The team will create hockey stick benches that will be used in fundraising efforts for local charities. Plaques on the benches will say “In memory of Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau.”

Skittles: The candies with old expiry dates will be counted and the Calgary Flames Foundation will make a commensurate financial contribution to the Calgary Food Bank.

Purple sports drinks: The containers will be emptied and donated to the KidSport Calgary recycling program. The program develops sports opportunities for local kids in need.

Stuffed toys: Toys made of cloth and cotton such will be donated to Parachutes for Pets, a charity supported by Flames players Mikael Backlund and Mackenzie Weegar. The toys will also help the Backlund family’s Lily and Dexter Legacy program – which helps children in care can stay with their pets by providing essential support such as leashes, collars, vet care, vaccines and licensing.

Jerseys: The uniforms will used to design blankets that will be donated to local charities.

Flowers: Organics will be collected and sent to compost. Soil from the flowers will be deposited in the earth at parks around the city.

The Calgary Flames have announced their plan for handling items left at the memorial for former player Johnny Gaudreau, who tragically passed away last week. The team has set up a designated area outside the Scotiabank Saddledome where fans can leave flowers, cards, and other mementos in honor of Gaudreau.

The Flames organization has stated that they will carefully collect and preserve all items left at the memorial. They understand the importance of these tributes to Gaudreau’s memory and want to ensure that they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

In addition to collecting items left at the memorial, the Flames have also announced plans to create a digital archive of all the tributes. Fans who are unable to visit the memorial in person will have the opportunity to submit their messages and photos online, which will be added to the digital archive.

The team has also expressed their gratitude to fans for their outpouring of support and love for Gaudreau. They have encouraged fans to continue to share their memories and stories of Gaudreau, both at the memorial and online.

Overall, the Flames’ plan for handling items from the Gaudreau memorial demonstrates their commitment to honoring his legacy and ensuring that fans have a meaningful way to pay their respects. The team’s thoughtful approach to preserving these tributes is a testament to the impact that Gaudreau had on the organization and its fans.