NHL analyst proposes to rename the Lady Byng Memorial trophy after Johnny Gaudreau
A few days after the tragedy that took the lives of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, emotions are still raw, and they'll likely stay that way for quite a while.
Not only are we awaiting updates on the legal procedures involving the drunk driver who hit the Gaudreau brothers, but the 2024-25 NHL season is also set to start soon, which will be hard for every fan as they watch the Columbus Blue Jackets play without Johnny Hockey.
Throughout the next season, Gaudreau will likely remain among the hot topics, especially now that David Alter has started an interesting debate about the player's legacy in the NHL.
Indeed, on X, David Alter shared a post in which he states his idea to rename the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy after Gaudreau.
This award is given to the "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."
Gaudreau won that trophy back in 2017, and it's the only individual award he won in his career.
Back in 2017, Gaudreau was 23 and won the Lady Byng Memorial after receiving only two minor penalties in 72 games with the Calgary Flames. He also led his team in points, with 61, including 18 goals.
Renaming the only trophy he won in his career would be a great way to honor his life. Originally, the trophy was named after Marie Evelyn Moreton, wife of Viscount Byng of Vimy. The couple were big fans of the Ottawa Senators and decided to donate the trophy to the league, handing it out for the first time to Frank Nighbor of the Sens in 1925.
Nowadays, players don't truly care about that award. Members of the media vote for the winner, and they choose the player who had the fewest penalties in the season. If the trophy were named after Gaudreau, players would understand the meaning of that award, bringing it back to its former glory.
Source: David Alter on X
Source for Johnny Gaudreau's statistics: Hockey DB
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy should be renamed after the late Johnny Gaudreau? | ||
| Yes | 280 | 63.1 % |
| No | 164 | 36.9 % |
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