When Gaudreau died in an accident in August of 2024, Monahan was devastated and struggled to get back on the ice. However, he became one of the key figures to support Meredith Gaudreau and her three children as they processed Johnny's passing.

Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan was brought to tears accepting the NHL’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by the wife of his late friend and teammate, Johnny Gaudreau.

Monahan earned the trophy for his resilience and leadership after the tragic death of his close friend and teammate Johnny Gaudreau last August. He signed with Columbus last July to reunite with Gaudreau, with whom he played nine seasons in Calgary.