Since Johnny Gaudreau’s death, numerous NHL stars have paid tribute to the late Columbus Blue Jackets star. Montreal Canadiens star Cole Caufield is going the extra mile by changing from No. 22 to No. 13 to honor one of his heroes.
Caufield, 23, announced the number change in a touching Instagram post. Caufield wrote that, as a smaller player himself, watching Gaudreau succeed at all levels was an inspiration to him. Because of that, Caufield will now don No. 13 in hopes of keeping Gaudreau’s spirit alive.
“The last few years playing as #22 have been some of the best years of my life,” Caufield wrote. “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. 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.”
During the 2024 IIHF World Championship, Caufield even got to play with Gaudreau on Team USA. Caufield noted how special that was to him and said Gaudreau “was someone everyone gravitated towards.”
Caufield was the No. 15 overall pick by the Canadiens in the 2019 NHL Draft, and there were certainly questions about his 5-foot-8 stature. However, Caufield has already thrived at the NHL level, tallying 77 goals and 67 assists in 195 games.
Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield made headlines recently when he announced that he would be switching his jersey number from 22 to 13 in honor of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau. Gaudreau, who tragically passed away in a car accident last year, was a beloved player known for his skill and passion for the game.
Caufield, who was a fan of Gaudreau growing up, felt that switching his number to 13 was a fitting way to pay tribute to the fallen star. In a statement released by the Canadiens, Caufield expressed his admiration for Gaudreau and his desire to honor his memory on the ice.
“I grew up watching Johnny play and he was a huge inspiration to me,” Caufield said. “I wanted to do something to honor his legacy and switching my number felt like the right way to do that. I hope that by wearing 13, I can continue to keep Johnny’s memory alive and inspire others to play with the same passion and dedication that he did.”
The decision to switch numbers was met with praise from fans and teammates alike, who commended Caufield for his gesture of respect and remembrance. Many took to social media to express their support for the young forward and share their own memories of Gaudreau’s impact on the hockey community.
As Caufield takes the ice in his new number 13 jersey, he carries with him not only the legacy of Johnny Gaudreau, but also the hopes and dreams of a new generation of players inspired by his dedication and love for the game. It is a fitting tribute to a player who left us too soon, but whose spirit lives on in the hearts of those who continue to play the game he loved.
