Community mourns teenage stabbing victim Lucas Gaudet at hockey-rink memorial

Friends, family and Montreal’s West Island community came together Friday night to remember 16-year-old Lucas Gaudet, the teen who was killed last month after being stabbed near a school.

The mourners gathered at the Pierrefonds Sportplexe – a natural fit to honour the teenager whose life revolved around hockey.

“I figured that this place would be most fitting for Lucas,” said the boy’s mother, Lynne-Marie Baudouy. “He loved hockey, he breathed hockey. He’s been playing hockey since he was three years old.

“I think it’s the perfect venue to have all of his family and friends, community just come out here and pay their last respects and say goodbye to Lucas.”

BACKGROUND: John Rennie student Lucas Gaudet remembered by family, friends, and the West Island community

“He grew up here,” said Alex Chin, Gaudet’s friend and teammate. “Basically this was like his second home.”

An urn with Gaudet’s ashes was placed at centre ice on Friday. His skates, hockey gloves, jerseys and pictures were on display to highlight the athlete, son and friend.

The teenager is being remembered as kind and generous, always the happiest person in the room with the biggest smile.

“Energetic, happy, confident, smart – that’s what comes to mind first,” said another of Lucas’ hockey teammates.

“Smiley Gaudet,” said his mother. “That was his nickname that one of his managers, Tammy, that’s what she has called him… He was just full of smiles, always thinking of others first.

“Lucas was always surrounded by light. He always had the light shining down on him.”

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Gaudet died Feb. 10 of injuries he sustained after being stabbed in the upper body on Feb. 8 during an altercation near St. Thomas High School in Pointe-Claire.

Another teen was also injured during the incident.

A 16-year-old was charged with second-degree murder in Gaudet’s death.

The accused is detained and a bail hearing set for April 26.

Gaudet’s death affected an entire community.

Teachers, coaches, high school friends gathered to grieve Friday. They watched a slideshow of videos and pictures of his life.

His mother shook hundreds of hands of people who loved her son.

“It’s definitely sad,” said Chin. “But at least he’s in a good place.”