wanted to pay tribute to hockey legend johnny gaudreau who died very recently in one of the few ways i can, quote is from him

***

“I’m not a grinder

I’m not a gimmick

And, in general, I’m just not a big guy

But I don’t need to be

I’m a hockey player”

it’s always been there

in your mind

hockey stick in hand

before you could walk

thinking, “i was born for this”

it’s a mantra

it sticks with you

through years of rejection

because you’re “just not good enough”

but you know the truth

deep in your heart

you are good enough

you are more than good enough

they don’t believe

because you’re “not big enough”

but they can’t stop you

because you’re a rocket

you’re a shooting star

you’re a superstar

you were born for this

you’ve made it

they call your name

you’re not even onstage

you could hardly see it coming

it’s a dream come true

you could never know

back then, wide-eyed and eighteen

that you’d ever even make the real show

let alone become one of the forces

that drives it

“you’re too small”

you still hear it, sometimes

but it doesn’t take long until it fades

because you showed them up

through years of cheers

and best friendships built to last

and goals and yells and purple gatorade

and becoming a hero

for folks young and old

then you leave

because you love where you’ve been

but you also love where you’re headed

close to home

to the ones you love more than anyone

and when you return

to that old home

they’re angry, “why did you leave?”

but their jeers turn to cheers

because they love you too much

to ever hate you

and your new home loves you

how could they not?

you were a guiding light

for a generation

and more to come

proof that nothing can stop someone

from achieving what they truly want

even when the odds are stacked against them

you have left a mark

on the homes in which you lived

and the people who were lucky enough

to know you

you deserved more

you deserved to spend the rest of your life

inspiring us all

to chase the stars

to be who we know we can be

you will never be forgotten

held in the hearts of family

and friends

and fans

and anyone who has ever known you

even for a moment

you were born to do this

you were born for hockey

and now your spirit powers it’s future

as you play peacefully with your brother

on all those rinks in heaven

***

you will forever be missed

johnny gaudreau (1993-2024)

matthew gaudreau (1994-2024)