Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith reacts to Sean Monahan's way of reminiscing memories of deceased NHL star everyday

Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith shared on Instagram on Thursday how she was touched by Sean Monahan's habit of visiting their late friend's locker each day to reminisce. Monahan and Gaudreau were best friends and teammates on the Calgary Flames before Gaudreau's tragic passing.

"Thankful John's best friends became my best friends too," Meredith wrote on her IG story.

Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith IG story

Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed in August when a car struck them while they were cycling, just one day before Gaudreau's sister's wedding. The sudden loss devastated teammates and friends like Monahan.

As Monahan said,

"For me, it brings back good memories, because some of the stuff in there I wwas actually with him when he got it, or he's had for over 10 years. He's a guy who didn't change much. He never changed as a person, except when he had kids - then he became a great father." as per Hockey Forever.

The personal mementos spark fond recollections of their time together over the years. It's a small ritual that means a lot to Monahan as he continues grieving the loss.

Sean Monahan on losing his best friend Johnny Gaudreau

The offseason brought excitement and optimism for Sean Monahan as he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets to join his best friend and longtime teammate Johnny Gaudreau. But a tragic turn of events struck less than two months later.

As Gaudreau's former teams, the Blue Jackets and Flames, get set to square off on Friday, Monahan spoke on the passing of his best friend.

“You lose your best friend, your teammate, it’s tough to comprehend,” Monahan said per the Calgary Herald. “Ninety per cent of the time, it doesn’t feel real. When something happens in my life, I’d usually give John a FaceTime and he’d answer."

"I go through those situations a lot where you want to pick up the phone and give him a call or text or send him a picture or something, and then you realize. That’s when it hurts."

Monahan added,

"I still haven’t, obviously, got over it. I don’t think I ever will. At some point, I think it will feel real. But as of today, it still doesn’t for me."

The loss follows Monahan everywhere - his house is just two doors down from Johnny's widow and children, and he visits often. On his drive to the rink, Monahan says Johnny Gaudreau is "basically all I think about."

And in the locker room, Monahan sits beside an empty stall with Johnny's #13 jersey hanging on game days, a constant reminder of his best friend.