Canadiens’ Cole Caufield to Wear No. 13 for Season in Honour of Late NHL Star Gaudreau

Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield (22) playing against the Nashville Predators, on March 5, 2024, in Nashville. AP Photo/George Walker IV

Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield announced he will wear a No. 13 jersey in memory of his hero, former Calgary Flames player Johnny Gaudreau.

Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed on Aug. 29 when they were hit by an alleged drunk driver while out cycling in New Jersey. A 43-year-old man has been charged with two counts of death by auto. He also faces charges of reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Caufield announced he was switching from No. 22 to No. 13 in an Instagram post on Sept. 4.

“The last few years playing as #22 have been some of the best years of my life,” he said in the post.

“It truly has been a dream come true and I will forever hold those memories and that number close to me. I wore #13 at a point in my career because of Johnny and now I will be wearing it again to honor him.”

Caufield said Gaudreau paved the way for smaller players, proving they could find a future in hockey at the highest level.

“I will forever be grateful to him for inspiring me and others. Rest in Peace, Johnny hockey.”

In the post, Caufield noted that he had the opportunity to play with Gaudreau for Team USA at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Hockey Championship in Czechia in May.

“Getting to play with your hero is something that most people only dream of. I was lucky enough to be Johnny’s teammate this past summer and it didn’t take long to realize how great of a person he was,” the post said.

Caufield wrote that Gaudreau was “the most welcoming, genuine and funniest guy” he ever met, and everyone gravitated toward the former Flames left winger.

“I took every chance I could to be around him. Not only was he an amazing hockey player and teammate, but he was down to earth and truly cared about every person he encountered.”

He sent his deepest condolences to the Gaudreau family, including Johnny’s wife and two children.

“Nothing will be able to fill the void in their families and loved ones hearts, but I hope it provides some comfort to know how these two positively impacted the lives of so many. They will truly be missed.”

Caufield was the fifteenth draft pick by the Canadiens in the 2019 NHL draft and comes from a family who love the game. His older brother played hockey at the University of Wisconsin, and Caufield’s father, Paul, played NCAA Division II hockey at the same university.

His grandfather, Wayne, was inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011 after spending more than 20 years coaching youth hockey and hosting hockey clinics.

Caufield signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Montreal in 2021. In June 2023 he signed an eight-year contract with the Canadiens worth $62.8 million.