In what is sure to be an emotional night in Columbus, the Blue Jackets are gearing up to honor the memory of their beloved teammate, Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. The tragic loss of the Gaudreau brothers, who were killed in a fatal accident on August 29, has left a somber cloud over the Blue Jackets organization.
As the Blue Jackets prepare to take on the Florida Panthers in their home opener, the team is offering their players a few options for how to cope with their emotions. “If you want to cry, cry. If you want to laugh, laugh,” said one Blue Jackets staff member. The only rule is to play the game the way Johnny Hockey would have wanted, with his memory in mind.
Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason emphasized the importance of honoring the Gaudreau brothers, despite the overwhelming grief felt by the team. “It’s such an unprecedented thing and something that obviously none of us wanted to go through, and nobody ever wants to go through it,” said Evason. “But we have to.”
Johnny Gaudreau, who was just 31 years old, was a star player for the Blue Jackets, wearing jersey No. 13. His brother Matthew, a 29-year-old pro player, wore jersey No. 21. In a show of solidarity, all 32 NHL teams are wearing decals on their helmets bearing the numbers 13, 21, and the letter G in tribute to the Gaudreau brothers.
During Tuesday’s game, the “13” tributes will be prominently displayed throughout the arena. Both the Blue Jackets and Panthers will don jerseys with the Gaudreau name and the number 13 during warmups, with the jerseys set to be auctioned off to benefit the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation. Fans in attendance will receive a “13” patch to commemorate the evening.
And to add to the emotional significance of the night, the puck drop for the game has been set for 7:13, in honor of Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey number.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice expressed his team’s support for the Blue Jackets and their tribute to the Gaudreau brothers. “Whatever they need, whatever the fans need, whatever the team needs to start that healing process, we’d be proud to be a part of it,” said Maurice.
As the hockey world bands together to remember Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, the Blue Jackets prepare for an emotional night of celebration, remembrance, and healing.