In Columbus, Ohio, the somber atmosphere hung heavy in the air as the Blue Jackets paid tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau before their first game at Nationwide Arena since his tragic passing nearly a month ago. An emotional video tribute to the star player kicked off the evening, followed by 13 seconds of silence to honor his jersey number.
The heartfelt tributes preceded the Blue Jackets’ preseason matchup against the St. Louis Blues, which ended in a 3-0 victory for the home team. The game marked a poignant moment for the organization and the fans as they remembered Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, who were killed on August 29 in a heart-wrenching accident near their childhood home in New Jersey.
Reflecting on the loss, Columbus forward Sean Kuraly shared, “I think you put yourself in some of these situations where you’d have John around. Thinking about him all day, obviously. When he’s not there with us, it’s a tough day.” The impact of Gaudreau’s absence was felt deeply by the team, and they continue to carry his memory with them both on and off the ice.
In a touching gesture, the Blue Jackets have been wearing helmet stickers bearing the names of the Gaudreau brothers and their respective numbers. The team plans to further honor Johnny Gaudreau by wearing a commemorative patch during their first regular-season game, where his No. 13 will be prominently displayed.
The upcoming home opener on October 15 will be a special night dedicated to paying tribute to the Gaudreau brothers, with traditional activities postponed to properly honor their legacy. The close-knit bond within the Blue Jackets organization has been evident in the wake of the tragedy, with new coach Dean Evason noting, “The guys are close. And that doesn’t just mean the guys that have been here in Columbus. It’s everyone here in this camp. We’ve seen a real close-knit group.”
As the team navigates the season ahead with a new general manager and coach, the void left by the loss of “Johnny Hockey” remains palpable. Gaudreau’s jersey still hangs in his dressing stall in the Columbus locker room, a poignant reminder of the impact he made on his teammates and the hockey community at large. The Blue Jackets will carry his memory with them as they strive to honor his legacy throughout the season.
