John Tortorella addresses his invite to Guy Gaudreau at Philadelphia Flyers practice

John Tortorella and the Philadelphia Flyers made a very classy gesture by inviting Johnny Gaudreau's father Guy to practice, and the reasons were revealed.

Head coach John Tortorella had a very special guest at the Philadelphia Flyers training camp on Monday. Guy Gaudreau, the father of the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, took to the ice to help Tortorella with some drills in practice. Himself a figure in local hockey, Guy had a long-standing presence in New Jersey hockey, coaching both at Hollydell Ice Arena and Gloucester Catholic High School. After the skate, he received a round of stick taps and handshakes from his fellow Flyers.

Tortorella said Monday's practice was the first time he'd met Guy Gaudreau, but added that their bond was strong because of what happened to the Gaudreau family last week. Columbus Blue Jackets star player John Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were tragically murdered in late August after being hit by a suspected drunk driver while biking in South Jersey. Tortorella had attended the brothers' funeral and reached out to the family with his condolences. Perhaps that rapport established through the sorrow of such a loss made Guy's presence at the Flyers' practice even more significant.

During practice, Tortorella would half-jokingly say that Guy Gaudreau often gave him a hard time about his intense coaching style and, in particular, laying pressure on players to skate harder. But with the humor was an understanding, a mutual respect between the two men. Tortorella openly invited Guy to come back to Flyers practices anytime he wanted, showing how much respect and camaraderie really brewed between them.

The tragedy of the Gaudreau family still has an indelible mark on hockey. Johnny Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, wrote on social media how much Tortorella attending the funeral and giving support had meant to her family in those fateful moments. It sent shockwaves across the league, considering Johnny's star power, his appeal to fans, and the fact that his sister Katie was supposed to get married the next day after the accident.

Johnny Gaudreau was an older pro, very well-established, who acquired a load of fame under the nickname "Johnny Hockey." Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022 after spending eight seasons with the Calgary Flames, where he had emerged as one of the league's elite. Similar to his brother, his passing has left a hole in the sport that will never be replaced, and his memory remains celebrated by all in the hockey community, including figures like Tortorella who were deeply moved by his story.

The poignancy of that moment at Flyers training cam between John Tortorella and Guy Gaudreau was a strong reminder of how tragedy forges bonds. The hockey world has come together in support of and solidarity with the Gaudreau family. As Tortorella continues extending kindness and respect to the family, the impact of Johnny and Matthew's lives will be remembered both on and off the ice.

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