he was Johnny hocky a nickname accompanied by a trademark and a wink he earned the name not because he reinvented the game or played it better than all his contemporaries but because he played it with so much joy the legend of John Johnny goodro encapsulated the core of hockey the creativity and freedom that first seduced all who Lov the game there was a lightess to goodro a boyish aspect that tagged along into his 30s goodro had a gleam in his eye a light that shines on the bereaved as the family Mourns the death of Johnny and his brother Matthew the brothers had come home for their sister's wedding family mattered in the too short life of Johnny goodro a son a brother a husband and a father after his eighth season with the Flames when he dazzled with 40 goals and 115 points he could have resigned he had been drafted in Calgary he had been revered in Calgary he had not merely displayed imagination he had captured it in a city craving a post Jerome ainla hockey hero but he bolted Eastward to be closer to his roots not for Philadelphia across the river from his South Jersey home but surprisingly Columbus the reason he would explain was fun while the Blue Jackets Cannon had spooked him as a visiting flame he was struck by how energetic and happy a hockey home Columbus seemed to be the rich free agent contract was a lure but he could have found that money in other cities in Johnny hockey fashion goodro chose exultation two seasons in Columbus proved a mere Koda the he Alberta years on the wing receded in Middle America his statistics with the Blue Jackets were middling by his standards and after recording 14 points in 12 playoff games for the flames in 2022 goodro would never again have a chance to play for a Stanley Cup but a hockey player and a man is more than numbers or trophies he was immensely popular beloved by teammates the center of every dressing room from youth hockey to his Hobie Baker winning two years at Boston College to assorted team usas to the Saddle Dome and then to Nationwide Arena Johnny hockey was a slender 5'9 on his tallest day but he stormed the hockey world with skill and a smile morphing a profession back into a game this was his greatest gift today goodro has earned our tears eternally he has earned our thanks TSN joins the and Sports World in mourning the deaths of Johnny and Matthew GD Johnny was 31 he survived by his wife Meredith and their two children daughter Noah who turns 2 in October and Son Johnny who is just 7 months old Matthew was 29 and he survived by his wife mateline who is expecting their first [Music] child for