Johnny Gaudreau's mom Jane pens note as Buddy Robinson announces retirement from pro hockey

Former NHL forward Buddy Robinson officially closed the book on his professional hockey career this week. On Tuesday his former teammate and longtime friend, the late Johnny Gaudreau's mother Jane shared a heartfelt message for him.

Jane Gaudreau shared an Instagram story posted shortly after Robinson’s announcement. Alongside a photo of Robinson in a Flames uniform, she congratulated him on his career and reflected on the unique experience of watching him compete both with and against her sons over the years.

“Congratulations Buddy on an amazing hockey career! It’s been so much fun watching you play hockey… especially sharing the ice with and against John and Matty throughout the past 27 years. ❤️”

via Instagram /@jgaudreau311

Robinson and Johnny Gaudreau grew up playing in the same New Jersey hockey circles and spent part of their youth careers as teammates at Gloucester Catholic. Their paths would separate as they advanced through college and early pro hockey but they later reunited in the Flames organization when Robinson signed with Calgary in 2018.

The pairing came full circle in January 2020 when Robinson was recalled to the NHL and skated on a line with Gaudreau during a game against the St. Louis Blues. During his time with the Stockton Heat in 2019-20, he also became teammates with Johnny’s younger brother Matthew Gaudreau, who had signed an AHL contract with Calgary’s affiliate that season.

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Buddy Robinson bids emotional farewell to hockey

Buddy Roninson officially announced his retirement from professional hockey with a special Instagram post on Tuesday.

He shared a carousel of pictures featuring special moments from his career and with teammates that spanned multiple leagues. In the caption, he wrote:

“Thank you hockey. You’ve given me everything I have to be thankful for. It’s time to step back and be with family. To every teammate I ever had, thank you for being apart of my story, I’ll miss those friendships the most. It’s not goodbye, just see ya later ✌️-10/53.”

Robinson retires after a 13-year career that spanned the NHL, AHL and KHL. Undrafted out of Lake Superior State, he signed with the Ottawa Senators in 2013 and went on to play 62 NHL games with Ottawa, Calgary, Anaheim and Chicago.

His longest stretches came in the AHL where he made a reputation as a dependable physical winger and posted multiple productive seasons including a 53-point campaign with Manitoba in 2017-18. His final pro season came overseas with Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL in 2023-24.