The hockey world paused in its tracks last August when the Gaudreau brothers, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew, tragically lost their lives in an accident. The loss of these two, whose lives revolved around the hockey world, left a gaping void—not just in the NHL, but in the hearts of friends, family, and fans who cherished their infectious spirit. Yet, amid the lingering grief, a heartwarming moment has emerged, reminding us of the enduring bonds hockey fosters off the ice.
Enter Carter Gaudreau, the son of Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau, born just months after the tragedy, and Jaxon Merzlikins, the newborn son of Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and his wife, Aleksandra. These two tiny bundles of joy recently stole the spotlight in a way that’ll melt even the iciest of hearts. B/R Open Ice shared a post on X that captured the moment: “Aleksandra Merzlikins shared a photo of her and Elvis Merzlikins’ son with Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau’s son .” Picture this—two babies, snoozing side by side, decked out in their dads’ Blue Jackets jerseys. It’s the kind of image that stops you mid-scroll.
Aleksandra’s Instagram story caption sealed the deal: “Future teammates .” And why not? Their fathers shared the ice as Blue Jackets, forging a brotherhood that lives on through their sons. Jaxon, born March 16, carries the middle name John in honor of Johnny Gaudreau, a touching tribute from the Merzlikins family. This isn’t their first nod to a fallen teammate—Jaxon’s older brother, Knox, bears the middle name Matiss to honor former Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks, who died in a 2021 fireworks accident. “It was important to have him with us,” Elvis Merzlikins said of Gaudreau. “Now there is going to be something from Johnny with us.”
Elvis keeps Johnny’s memory close in other ways, too. His goalie mask this season features Johnny Gaudreau’s No. 13 on the front and both Johnny’s and Kivlenieks’ numbers—13 and 80—on the back. For the Blue Jackets’ outdoor game at Ohio Stadium on March 1, his mask even depicted Gaudreau shooting a puck at Kivlenieks. That game, a 2025 NHL Stadium Series win over Detroit, saw Elvis walking behind Meredith and Jane Gaudreau as they led the team onto the ice before 94,751 fans.
Aleksandra Merzlikins shared a photo of her and Elvis Merzlikins’ son with Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau’s son
“Future teammates ”
(via IG/am.merzlikins) pic.twitter.com/PHbMfkT1mC
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 12, 2025
In a season of high stakes, this tender snapshot of Carter and Jaxon reminds us that hockey’s heart beats the strongest in moments of love and remembrance. And now the NHL has also remembered late Johnny Gaudreau by honoring him along with other giants of the game.
Johnny Gaudreau posthumously named to the NHL’s Quarter-Century Team
Johnny Gaudreau, the electrifying forward forever etched in Calgary Flames lore, has been posthumously named to the NHL’s Quarter-Century Team, joining modern giants like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. This honor, celebrating skaters who debuted after 2010, is a testament to the indelible mark “Johnny Hockey” left on the ice. Gaudreau’s dazzling play—marked by slick moves and a knack for finding the net—made him a Calgary icon. Fans still talk about his magical 2021-22 season, when he torched the league for 40 goals and 115 points, or that heart-stopping Game 7 overtime winner against Dallas in the playoffs. Those moments defined him.
Johnny Gaudreau’s numbers tell a story of brilliance. With 210 goals, he sits among the Flames’ top 10 scorers, while his 399 assists and 609 points place him in the franchise’s elite top five. Beyond stats, he was the spark in Calgary’s forward lines, clicking with line mates like Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk to create must-watch hockey. His flair redefined what a smaller player could do in a bruising league, inspiring a generation of fans and players alike.
The NHL’s Quarter-Century Team, voted on by fans to mark 25 years of player legacies, rightfully includes Gaudreau. Since his passing, heartfelt tributes and vigils have swept through Calgary, Columbus, and beyond, showing just how deeply he has affected the hockey fraternity. His family is keeping his spirit alive through the Gaudreau foundation to help young hockey players realize their aspirations and also to support families who have been affected by accidents cause by driving under influence of alcohol. Some initiatives, such as an annual 5K race, have been taken to rally communities to honor his memory and support their cause.
Johnny Gaudreau’s legacy isn’t just in the goals or the highlight reels—it’s in the joy he brought to rinks and the love he inspired off the ice. His place on the Quarter-Century Team cements him as one of hockey’s unforgettable stars, a Flame whose light still burns bright.
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