Pay Homage to Johnny Gaudreau
What does it really mean to leave a mark that never fades?
Johnny Gaudreau left more than highlights behind; he left a legacy that still pulses through Columbus. You hear it in his children’s laughter, see it in the way he brought a light that still glows in every room, and feel it in how he made each fan and teammate feel truly seen.
After reading "Thank You for Being Perfect, John" by Meredith Gaudreau on The Players' Tribune, we couldn’t shake it from our minds. Not because it was sad. Not even because it was beautiful. But because it rang honest in all the ways that count. Her letter wasn't just a hockey story. It was a story about love, fatherhood, grief, memory, and what it means to leave something behind that matters.
"You never cared if someone thought you were a good or bad player, you just wanted them to know you as John, Noa and Johnny’s dad."
— Meredith Gaudreau, The Players’ Tribune
Meredith didn’t write about a superstar. She wrote about a husband. A father. A man who brought donuts just to lift a mood and stayed up late just to coax giggles from his kids. She wrote of everything that HOMAGE celebrates. Legacy is not about stats or banners. It’s about presence and dedication. It’s about being remembered not only for what you did, but for how you made others feel.
"We talk about 'real ones' all the time at HOMAGE. But Meredith's story shows you what that really means, in the quiet, everyday kind of way."
—Ryan V., HOMAGE Founder
Sports and athletes teach us valuable life lessons. They remind us of the power of showing up, staying humble, and building something that lasts — something to be shared with our communities.
Johnny embodied that spirit. He was selfless and deeply loved here in Columbus. And while many of us never knew him personally, we all know the feeling he left behind: a legacy of grace, connection, and community that will never fade.
That legacy lives in Meredith’s unwavering strength, in his children’s laughter, and in the generous spirit of the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation. It echoes through the stands at Nationwide Arena, in every teammate who played harder, in every fan still proud to wear number 13.
Thank you, Johnny, for showing us what matters. Thank you, Meredith, for sharing your story with all of us.
At HOMAGE, we’re proud to carry that memory forward. The Johnny Hockey tee keeps it simple, just like Johnny did. Proceeds support the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, which continues their tradition of giving back. Some legacies live in more than records; they live in the way we treat each other.
