Latest news with #MastertonTrophy
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue Jackets' Sean Monahan surprised by Meredith Gaudreau with prestigious NHL award
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Columbus Blue Jackets center has won one of the most prestigious NHL awards and received the trophy during an emotional surprise visit from Meredith Gaudreau. Sean Monahan, 30, was named the winner of this season's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is given to the NHL player that 'best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.' The first-year Blue Jackets player found out he won when Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of the late Johnny Gaudreau, came over to his house in Toronto to deliver the trophy. Advertisement WATCH: Meredith Gaudreau presents Bill Masterton trophy to Sean Monahan He specifically came to play for Columbus this season to be with his friend Johnny, who played with Monahan in Calgary for nine seasons. 'Sean stood by my side for every tribute, every walkout,' Meredith Gaudreau said. 'I dragged him out there to cry with me on national television so many times.' Monahan's wife Brittany was in on the surprise and told Sean they were taking family photos. Instead, Meredith showed up with the trophy that has been won by such NHL greats as Henri Richard, Mario Lemieux, and Jaromir Jagr. 'I know John is so proud of you,' Gaudreau said emotionally when giving Monahan the award. Advertisement 'John knows I don't like the spotlight or attention, so I feel like he's, he was probably watching down on that moment laughing at me,' Monahan said. Monahan is the fifth Blue Jackets player in franchise history to win an individual NHL others include Steve Mason, Nick Foligno, Rick Nash, and Sergei Bobrovsky. He's the first Blue Jacket to win the Masterton Trophy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'They do not know life without each other': NHL fans touched by Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith Gaudreau's emotional post about their kids
'They do not know life without each other' NHL fans touched by Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith Gaudreau's emotional post about their kids (Image via Getty) A small story shared online has made many people feel warm inside. It was just a few words and a picture. But those words carried deep emotion. Fans of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau were not expecting it. And they were moved. Johnny Guadreau Meredith Gaudreau 's heartfelt Instagram story touches fans On June 4, 2025, Meredith Gaudreau posted a story on her Instagram account @meredithgaudreau_ . She shared a photo of her two young children. The caption read, 'They do not know life without each other.' The image showed the kids sitting closely, clearly enjoying each other's company. No filters, no big setup—just a real, quiet moment between siblings. Image via Getty Fans quickly reacted to the post. Some commented with heart emojis, others reposted it with kind words. Many said it showed the loving home Johnny and Meredith have built together. Also Read: Johnny Gaudreau's Wife Presents Sean Monahan With The Masterton Trophy In An Emotional Tribute Johnny Gaudreau and Meredith Gaudreau keep family life private but meaningful Johnny Gaudreau, an NHL forward currently with the Columbus Blue Jackets, has often kept his personal life away from the spotlight. But this rare post from Meredith gave fans a small look into their daily lives. Meredith, who is not in the media often, shared a raw moment that struck a chord with many parents and hockey fans. It reminded people that even stars and athletes live normal lives behind the scenes. The photo was not staged. It was simple and real. The bond between the children was clear. Meredith's caption made the post even more touching. The timing of the post, midweek in early June, gave fans a quiet mid-season reminder of what matters most—family. A fan reposted it on X (formerly Twitter), saying, 'This is why we love Johnny G. Great player. Even better dad.' The post gained attention from hockey pages and blogs. Many praised Meredith for her honest and heartfelt message. Some called it the 'most peaceful post of the week.'
Vancouver Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Former Flame Sean Monahan surprised with Masterton Trophy win by Meredith Gaudreau
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. It was Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, who surprised Monahan with the trophy at his home near Toronto. In a video posted to , she talked about how Monahan supported her at every tribute for her late husband and now it was her turn to honour him. In the video, Meredith Gaudreau said it was an honour to surprise him with the trophy. 'This is so important to me because Sean is so important to John,' she said. '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.' In an interview in November, Monahan talked about how the grief of losing his teammate and friend was affecting him . Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. '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.' 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. 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. The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to players who have demonstrated perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the sport. In the NHL video, Monahan said receiving the Masterton Trophy was special. 'Winning that Bill Masterton Trophy means a lot to me,' he said in the video. 'It's a big honour. There's a lot of special names on that trophy and the meaning behind it is something I take great pride in day-to-day life, being on a team and being a father, a husband.'
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan voted Masterton Trophy winner
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan voted Masterton Trophy winner Show Caption Hide Caption Columbus Blue Jackets getting reinforcements vs New York Islanders Sean Monahan and Erik Gudbranson will return to the Blue Jackets' lineup Monday against the Islanders hoping to end a six-game skid Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan is the winner of the 2024-25 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. It's the first time a Blue Jacket has won the award, which is presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. No player in the league exemplified those qualities more than Monahan, who was voted the Masterton winner by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Monahan, 30, signed with the Blue Jackets on July 1, 2024, primarily to reunite with Johnny Gaudreau. The two were close friends after playing nearly a decade together in Calgary, so Monahan jumped at a chance to rekindle that spark as a free agent — two years after Gaudreau stunned the NHL by picking the Blue Jackets. Instead, an offseason tragedy that took the lives of Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, on Aug. 29, 2024, in Oldmans Township, New Jersey dashed those plans, leaving Monahan emotionally gutted. His Columbus debut began with a heavy heart, forcing Monahan and his new teammates to bond through shared grief and fond memories of Gaudreau. 'John's someone who brings people together," Monahan said after the NHL announced him as the Masterton winner June 5. "So, going to a new team, everyone knew him well, and I said it plenty of times this year ... I felt like that was where I was supposed to be, playing in Columbus. And I don't take that for granted. Being a Blue Jacket, what it means to be a Blue Jacket and the guys I'm surrounded with every day in the organization and my teammates, it's a real special place to play." Monahan became a special part of the Blue Jackets lineup while centering the top forward line and playing the critical "bumper" position for the first power-play group. Together, Monahan and the Blue Jackets became the NHL's most improved team, improving by 23 points from 2023-24, and nearly qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs under new head coach Dean Evason. Monahan, who missed more than two months with a wrist injury, was a driving force with 19 goals, 38 assists and 57 points in just 54 games. "I was playing with some great players, and I was confident in my game," Monahan said. "I worked really hard to get back to where I wanted to be, and I think I've still got a lot to prove and a lot to prove to myself. I think we should be a playoff team every year. This year was a bit of a step forward, but we didn't get where we wanted to, so ... it's a big summer for our group to get ready for next season.' Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny Gaudreau's widow, presented Monahan with the trophy in a surprise visit to his offseason home near Toronto. The NHL shared a moving video on social media of her surprising Monahan with the award, and both had tears flowing. "I had no idea," Monahan said. "I was kind of waiting around all dressed up for a while because I was told we were doing family photos, and my mom was here and was going to help us with the little guy (1-year old Leo) and to get set up. It definitely caught me off guard, so it was just presented in a special way, and they did a great job to surprise me.' Runners-up to Monahan for the 2024-25 Masterton are Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who's retiring after a distinguished career, and Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who returned in the playoffs after a three-year absence due to a knee injury. Monahan also went through injury difficulties prior to signing with the Blue Jackets, playing just 90 games combined for the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens between 2021 and 2023 due to multiple health challenges that included two hip surgeries, a groin surgery and a broken foot. A wrist surgery kept him out for two-plus months with the Blue Jackets, while at the same time grieving Gaudreau. "It's definitely special to get the award," Monahan said. "I've said it before. I don't need the recognition. Everybody's going through different things in their life, but I worked hard to get where I am, and I went through ups and downs. And to be in Columbus and be healthy and able to play the game I love is something I don't take for granted.' Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@ and @ Get more on the Columbus Blue Jackets with our Cannon Fodder podcast
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Johnny Gaudreau's wife presents Sean Monahan with the Masterton Trophy in an emotional tribute
(Image Source: Getty Images) Sometimes, sports aren't just about goals or wins. They're about the stories behind the stats, stories of friendship, loss, and unbreakable bonds. Sean Monahan's 2024–25 season was one of those stories. After suffering a heartbreaking loss, he found a way to honor his best friend, Johnny Gaudreau, with every shift on the ice. Now, his perseverance and loyalty have been recognized in the most touching way possible: by winning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, presented to him by Johnny's wife, Meredith Gaudreau. Sean Monahan lost his best friend before the season, but never lost his purpose In August 2024, tragedy struck the hockey world. Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed in a devastating accident, sending shockwaves through the NHL community. Just weeks before the season started, Sean Monahan had signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets, excited to reunite with Johnny on the ice. But nothing could have prepared him for the loss that awaited. Despite the pain, Monahan didn't retreat. Instead, he dedicated the entire season to Johnny's memory, playing with a heart full of grief but a spirit unbroken. For him, this wasn't just hockey. It was a mission. With 19 goals and 38 assists in 54 games, he delivered a standout performance that helped the Blue Jackets nearly clinch a playoff spot. But beyond the numbers, it was his quiet strength and sportsmanship that caught everyone's attention. He stood alongside Meredith Gaudreau during every tribute game, a visible pillar of support and friendship. For fans and teammates alike, Sean embodied what the Masterton Trophy stands for: perseverance, dedication, and sportsmanship in the face of adversity. The surprise that brought everything full circle: Meredith delivers the award The emotional highlight came when Meredith Gaudreau surprised Monahan at his Toronto home with the Masterton Trophy. The moment was raw, intimate, and powerful. Meredith's words resonated deeply: 'Sean stood by my side for every tribute… this one celebrates Sean.' Meredith Gaudreau Surprises Sean Monahan with Masterton Trophy For Monahan, this wasn't just an award, it was a moment of healing and recognition for a journey filled with heartbreak and hope. Sean Monahan's story this season was bigger than hockey. It was about love, loss, and the power of friendship. His Masterton Trophy win is a testament to how the game can bring people together even in the darkest times. Also read - Jake Walman's hilarious laugh at Tomas Nosek's overtime penalty sparks viral frenzy in Stanley Cup Final Game 1
