On an emotional Tuesday evening at Nationwide Area, the Columbus Blue Jackets honored Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau forward of their home-opener in opposition to the Florida Panthers. Each groups participated in heartfelt tributes to the late Blue Jackets star and his brother all through the evening.
Again in August, the Gaudreau brothers died after being struck by a car in New Jersey. They had been driving bicycles close to their household house when a automotive veered onto the fitting shoulder of the highway and hit them.
Simply two years earlier, Johnny Gaudreau signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets, turning into the largest free agent acquisition in franchise historical past. In his two seasons with the staff, Gaudreau rapidly turned a teammate and fan favourite whereas tallying 33 targets and 101 assists in 161 video games.
Within the wake of Gaudreau’s dying, the Blue Jackets’ home-opener served as a memorial and a celebration of life. Each groups went the additional mile to honor the reminiscences of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
Panthers pay respects to Gaudreau
The tributes acquired began lengthy earlier than the opening puck drop. In keeping with Panthers rinkside reporter Katie Engelson, every member of the staff introduced a purple Gatorade and Skittles in honor of Gaudreau’s favourite snacks. The concept was steered by Matthew Tkachuk, one in every of Gaudreau’s greatest buddies within the NHL.
Tkachuk and Gaudreau performed collectively in Calgary from 2016 to 2022, and the pair of American-born stars fashioned a decent bond. Tkachuk did not journey with the Panthers on account of an sickness, however he did launch an announcement on Gaudreau earlier than the sport.
Blue Jackets memorialize Gaudreau brothers pregame
Within the lead-up to the sport, Columbus unveiled its memorial to the Gaudreau brothers inside the world. The memorial contains reproduction lockers for Johnny and Matthew, game-worn gear and issues from the fan memorial exterior the world. It is going to be on show for followers to view all through your entire 2024-25 season.
Gamers on each groups put on particular warm-up jerseys
When the Blue Jackets and Panthers took the ice for warm-ups, each participant wore Johnny Gaudreau’s No. 13. These speciality jerseys had been then auctioned off to boost cash for the Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau Basis.
Jackets honor Johnny Gaudreau with emotional ceremony
Within the ultimate minutes earlier than puck drop, the Blue Jackets honored Johnny with a pregame video that paid tribute to his life on and off the ice. The video went via Gaudreau’s childhood, his love of hockey, his household and his profession in Calgary and Columbus. It ended with a quote from Gaudreau about how he wished to be remembered when his profession was over.
“I believe when it is all mentioned and finished, I need to be remembered as a man who wished to be across the rink, round his buddies, round his household,” Gaudreau mentioned. “I may most likely go on and on with the record, however simply being a hockey man a guess.”
Following the video, Gaudreau’s household was invited onto the ice to look at as Gaudreau’s No. 13 was lifted to the rafters. Because the banner made its manner upward, the followers in Nationwide Area broke out right into a “Johnny Hockey” chant.
As Gaudreau’s household made their manner off the ice, a video message from Johnny’s spouse, Meredith, performed on the Jumbotron. She thanked the Columbus fan base for all its help and inspired them to “love the sport that John beloved.”
On the opening puck drop, the Blue Jackets got here out with simply 4 skaters, leaving Gaudreau’s left wing open. Columbus middle Sean Monahan, a longtime buddy of Gaudreau’s, took the opening draw and pushed the puck to the vacant spot. The groups let 13 seconds roll off the clock whereas the group chanted “Love you, Johnny.”
