Sean Monahan opens up about mental health issues following Johnny Gaudreau’s death in emotional interview

The entire Columbus Blue Jackets organization was devasted when star forward Johnny Gaudreau was killed this past summer. Johnny Hockey and his younger brother Matthew were killed Aug. 29 after being struck by a vehicle while riding bicycles near their home in Salem County, New Jersey. They both died on the scene, on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding, where both brothers were to be groomsmen. Johnny was 31 years old at the time of his death, while Matthew was 29.

The loss was immense for the hockey world, but words cannot describe how it has affected Sean Monahan, Johnny’s best friend, who had just signed a contract to join him in Columbus. In a moving interview with Aaron Portzline of the Athletic, Monahan revealed how he found out about his best buddy’s tragic death. Pulling at everyone’s heartstrings, he admitted that he had just packed the car and his family to head down to his new house in Columbus.

“That’s when I got the call,” Monahan said. “That’s how I found out Johnny had passed.”

Monahan and Gaudreau had been best friends since playing together as Calgary Flames and were looking forward to be teammates again. Joining his buddy in Columbus was the ultimate reason why Monahan signed with the Jackets.

“I’d get 40 (texts) a day from him some days, I swear,” Monahan smiled. “He was so excited. I was so excited. Our families were excited.

“We were looking forward to playing together again, of course. But we were both really excited to raise our kids together.”

When it all taken away, Monahan admitted that he struggled to move to Columbus, though he and his family were there for Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, and the kids. But as training camp came around, and the season was about to get going, Monahan admitted that he struggled mentally.

“I wasn’t sure, to be honest,” Monahan said. “I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was in Columbus for a while and I couldn’t bring myself to the rink. It was hard.

“I was pushed to come to the rink by a few of the people around me, and once I got here, it really helped me out to be there. I had a lot of support from Mere (Gaudreau’s wife). She’s a very strong person, and that’s something that helped me get by.”

Monahan also helped young players on his roster and was certainly an inspiration out there for anyone struggling with grief. He has been nominated by the Columbus chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies “perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”

Monahan continues to honour Johnny Gaudreau not only by having fun at the rink, but also by being a family man and a great friend to Johnny’s widow and kids. Meredith Gaudreau gave birth to Carter Michael Gaudreau on April 1.

“It was a pretty emotional day,” Monahan said. “Another part of John lives on. Everyone was hoping it was a little boy. He already looks like John, too.”

Speaking of Meredith, Monahan added: “I look at it this way: She’s one of the leaders on this team.”

While Monahan was expecting something much different when he signed in Columbus, he revealed how he is glad he made the move. And there is no doubt that Gaudreau is proud, looking down at his best friend.

“I came here for a reason, and that was taken away,” Monahan said. “It’s been a whirlwind. But I feel like I’ve played here in Columbus for more than a year, to be honest. It feels like I’ve been a part of it here for a long time.

“And it feels like I’m supposed to be here.”