Johnny Gaudreau's widow surprises Blue Jackets' Sean Monahan with Masterton Trophy
Columbus Blue Jackets centre Sean Monahan has been awarded the 2024-25 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, the NHL announced Thursday.
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The award honours perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey, commemorating Bill Masterton, a Minnesota North Stars player who died from an on-ice injury in 1968, and is voted on annually by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
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Monahan earned the trophy for his resilience and leadership after the tragic death of his close friend and teammate Johnny Gaudreau last August. He signed with Columbus last July to reunite with Gaudreau, with whom he played nine seasons in Calgary.
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Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were struck and killed by a driver charged with impaired driving while they were cycling in New Jersey on Aug. 29, 2024.
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As opposed to handing out some awards at a ceremony this year, the NHL has instead enlisted outside help to present winners with their honours — and it turned emotional for Monahan.
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Johnny Gaudreau's wife, Meredith, surprised Sean Monahan with the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. 💙
Watch the #NHLAwards on June 12 at 6p ET on @NHL_On_TNT and @Sportsnet before Game 4 of the #StanleyCup Final. pic.twitter.com/njj3I7YptA
— NHL (@NHL) June 5, 2025
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The Columbus forward was presented the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by none other than Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny's widow.
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'When I was asked to be part of this surprise I was so honoured, so excited,' Meredith said in the clip shared by the NHL on X. 'Sean stood by my side for every tribute, every walkout. I dragged him out there to cry with me on national TV so many times.
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'But I'm excited about this one because this one celebrates Sean.'
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Gaudreau went to Monahan's Toronto-area home to drop off the trophy – a clear surprise to Monahan who was seen checking through a window after Meredith rang the doorbell.
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Gaudreau revealed that she enlisted the help of Sean's wife, Brittany, into helping him think they were doing family photos that day to distract him.
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'Oh my god, it's pretty special,' Monahan says while looking at the trophy.
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