Former Flame Sean Monahan surprised with Masterton Trophy win by Meredith Gaudreau

Ottawa Citizen

05-06-2025

Sean Monahan has had to fight through the last year and the National Hockey League recognized it, awarding the 30-year-old the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance after losing his friend and fellow Calgary Flames alum Johnny Gaudreau to an alleged drunk driver last August.
Article content
It was Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, who surprised Monahan with the trophy at his home near Toronto. In a video posted to nhl.com, she talked about how Monahan supported her at every tribute for her late husband and now it was her turn to honour him.
Article content
Article content
In the video, Meredith Gaudreau said it was an honour to surprise Monahan with the trophy.
Article content
'This is so important to me because Sean is so important to John,' she said.
Article content
'You don't think about John's name without thinking of Sean and you don't hear Sean's name without thinking of John and they are best friends. They are brothers. When I was asked to be part of this surprise, I was so excited. Sean stood by my side for every tribute every walk out and, you know, I dragged him out there to cry with me on national television. I am excited to celebrate this one because this one celebrates Sean.'
Article content
Article content
Article content
In an interview in November, Monahan talked about how the grief of losing his teammate and friend was affecting him.
Article content
Article content
'You lose your best friend, your teammate, it's tough to comprehend,' Monahan told Postmedia at the time. 'Ninety per cent of the time, it doesn't feel real. When something happens in my life, I'd usually give John a FaceTime and he'd answer. I go through those situations a lot where you want to pick up the phone and give him a call or text or send him a picture or something, and then you realize. That's when it hurts.'
Article content
Monahan took to the ice this season with the Columbus Blue Jackets without Gaudreau and suffered a wrist injury in January. Despite that, he was tied for third place in Columbus' scoring with 57 points (19 goals, 38 assists). The Blue Jackets finished two points out of the second Eastern Conference wild card spot this season.
Article content
Article content
Monahan, who signed with Columbus on July 1, 2024, to reunite with Gaudreau after the pair played together for eight seasons in Calgary, has served as an inspiration amid the tragedy of Gaudreau's death. He finished with the fifth-most points by a Blue Jackets player in his first season with the club — a list Gaudreau sits second on (74 in 2022-23). His 1.06 points per game was the highest by any first-year Columbus player.
Article content
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to players who have demonstrated perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the sport.