Montreal Canadiens Cole Caufield Honors Fallen Johnny Gaudreau Against Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday

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Sam Walker
October 9, 2024 (10:14 PM)

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Canadiens star forward Cole Caufield honors Johnny Gaudreau in many ways on Wednesday nights game against Toronto Maple Leafs in Montreal

The Montreal Canadiens faced the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night and the Canadiens' highest paid forward, and most stud-talented, Cole Caufield, decided to change his jersey number to #13 prior to the season starting to honor the fallen Johnny Gaudreau, who was tragically struck and killed by drunk driver Sean Higgins earlier in the NHL off-season.

Caufield came out with fire while repping #13, and made sure to make Johnny proud- scoring his first goal in the Canadiens first game of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Earlier in Caufield's career, he used to wear #13 to show love for his favorite player at the time, Johnny Gaudreau, both Johnny and Cole have a lot in common- they were both doubted throughout their hockey careers due to their size, but have still overcame the odds against them.

In his first game wearing No. 13 to honor Johnny Gaudreau, Cole Caufield opens the scoring for Montreal.

For Johnny.

«The last few years playing as No. 22 have been some of the best years of my life. It truly has been a dream come true and I will forever hold those memories and that number close to me. I wore No. 13 at a point in my career because of Johnny and now I will be wearing it again to honor him. He paved the way for smaller players and proved we had a future in this game at the highest level. I will forever be grateful to him for inspiring me and others. Rest in peace, Johnny Hockey,»

said Caufield in a message on Instagram.

While the heated rivalry between the Canadiens and Maple Leafs continue to thrive, moments like these- that are bigger than hockey, tend to overcome the hatred throughout the rival to see the bigger picture.