Sometimes, a sports story can warm your heart, like when Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan got a surprise visit from Meredith Gaudreau May 5.

On Thursday, the NHL announced Monahan as the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which honors the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” The 30-year-old center, a 12-year NHL veteran, embodies all of those traits.

Meredith Gaudreau shared a beautiful and emotional moment with her late husband Johnny's former teammate and close friend Sean Monahan. The National Hockey League (NHL) named Monahan, 30, the recipient of the 2024-25 Masterton Memorial Trophy and enlisted Meredith to surprise the Blue Jackets center with the honor.