Blue Jackets heart Sean Monahan was delivered to tears accepting the NHL’s Invoice Masterton Memorial Trophy by the spouse of his late pal and teammate, Johnny Gaudreau.
In an emotional video posted by the NHL on Thursday, Monahan was stunned with the trophy — awarded to “the participant who greatest exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey” — by Meredith Gaudreau, whose husband was tragically killed final August on the eve of his sister’s wedding ceremony.
“Once I was requested to be a part of this shock, I used to be so honored, so excited,” Meredith stated within the video. “Sean stood by my facet for each tribute, each walkout and I dragged him on the market to cry with me on nationwide tv so many instances however I’m enthusiastic about this one as a result of this one celebrates Sean.”
Monahan and Gaudreau performed 9 seasons collectively for the Calgary Flames. They reunited in Columbus final July when Monahan signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract in free company.
Their dream of taking the ice collectively once more was crushed simply weeks earlier than coaching camp when Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, have been killed by an alleged drunk driver whereas using bicycles in New Jersey.
Via the heartache, Monahan stood robust and sometimes delivered emotional phrases and tributes whereas in highway arenas. He recorded 19 targets and 38 assists in 54 video games en path to receiving the Masterton Trophy.
“Sean, you imply every little thing to John … this one’s about you,” Meredith stated with tears in her eyes. “You persevered via one of many hardest issues and also you simply lead by instance and this one’s simply celebrating your character and the way good of an individual you’re. I do know John is so happy with you.”
Monahan additionally welled up whereas he accepted the distinction.
“Successful that Invoice Masterton Trophy means so much to me. It’s an actual large honor. It’s plenty of particular names on that trophy and the which means behind it — it’s one thing I take nice delight in in day-to-day life being on a group, being a father, a husband,” he stated. “It’s a particular factor and clearly contemporary proper now and one thing I’m undoubtedly going to be reflecting on so much.”
Many felt that Monahan was a shoo-in for the award, contemplating his glorious season whereas persevering via one thing as robust as shedding a teammate and greatest pal.
The NHL’s transfer to incorporate Gaudreau’s spouse within the second was definitely an aesthetic one which made it much more particular.
