Johnny Gaudreau named to NHL all quarter-century team

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The late Johnny Gaudreau was named to the NHL's all quarter-century team as part of the group of skaters whose debuts came after 2010.

Gaudreau was drafted by the Calgary Flames, where he spent the first eight seasons of his career. In 2022, Gaudreau signed with the Blue Jackets.

Through his career, Gaudreau scored 243 goals and had 500 assists.

He was killed in August after he and his brother, Matthew, were hit by a suspected drunken driver.

"I'm grateful I had the chance to play against him, played playoff series against him, played many heated battles in the Battle of Alberta against him, and got to know him a little bit," Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid said in a statement. "I'll miss him a lot. He was a great player and great person and obviously was taken away way too soon."

Also named to the team on Saturday were Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Auston Matthews, and McDavid.

The NHL Quarter-Century team was selected by fans, who were able to vote for players between Feb. 12 and April 1. The players who were eligible to be voted for were the six players from each NHL team who were named to the club's First Team.