NHL star Johnny Gaudreau honored with emotional tribute months after brother's tragic death.

The Calgary Flames honored the memory of former NHL star Johnny Gaudreau before their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, following his tragic death along with his brother, Matthew, in a car accident in New Jersey just days before his sister's wedding.

The night was emotional as it started with a ceremonial puck drop, attended by Gaudreau's parents, sisters, wife, and children.

Johnny Gaudreau, who played hockey at Boston College with his brother Matthew and won a national title in 2021, spent the majority of his NHL career playing for the Flames. In 2022, he signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Blue Jackets.

On Tuesday night, his two former teams met for the first time since his tragic death on Aug. 29.

During the Gaudreau family's walk toward center ice, fans erupted in "Johnny, Johnny, Johnny!" cheers. In pregame warmups, players donned Gaudreau's name and number on their jerseys.

After their 3-0 victory over Columbus, Johnny was named the first star of the game and his father accepted the honor on the ice alongside Calgary captain Rasmus Andersson.

After scoring for the Flames, Andersson, a close friend of Johnny's, gestured towards his family seated in a Saddledome box.

"Meredith remarked that everyone in Calgary had been warmly welcoming her back, making her feel like she had never left. After spending a couple of days in the city, she was surrounded by so many familiar faces and was reminded of all the good memories she had made there."

The Gaudreau brothers, Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were to be groomsmen at their sister's wedding in Philadelphia in late August. However, the night before the wedding, the brothers were cycling on a road when a suspected drunk driver, heading in the same direction, attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck them from behind.

They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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