Wednesday's preseason home opener for the Columbus Blue Jackets held at Nationwide Arena was soaked in emotion as fans, and the team honored the memory of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Nearly a month has passed since the tragic accident that claimed the lives of the Gaudreaus, and attendees at the game were reminded not only of a sport but of a community in mourning.
As reported by CBS News, the Blue Jackets observed an emotional video tribute and 13 seconds of silence for Johnny Gaudreau's uniform number. The solemn moments came before the Blue Jackets took to a victory against the St. Louis Blues. The mishap that led to the brothers' deaths occurred on August 29 near their childhood home in New Jersey, casting an undeniable pall on both a family event and the Blue Jackets' upcoming season.
In an interview obtained by NBC4i, local business owners such as Natalie Darr and Tim Emery spoke to the gravity of the occasion, noting the collective grief shared by fans and the surrounding community. The R Bar and Boston’s Pizza, situated in the arena district and frequented by CBJ fans, stood as ground zero for patrons seeking solidarity and remembrance. As Darr expressed, "I think between all the fans and players, the staff and our staff here at our bar, everybody's still really feeling that."
The tributes extended beyond the somber pregame proceedings; the team donned helmet stickers brandishing the Gaudreau name between two doves and the brothers' respective numbers, 13 and 21. These stickers will be a fixture on their helmets throughout the preseason. Furthermore, a commemorative patch featuring Johnny's number 13 will be a part of the Blue Jackets' regular-season attire, a nod to his influential presence both on and off the ice. The home opener, initially slated for October 15, will now take place on October 17, postponing traditional festivities to dedicate the night to the brothers' memory, as confirmed by CBS News.
Despite these tributes, the void remains. Johnny Gaudreau's jersey continues to occupy its usual place in the locker room, a silent testament to a presence that is deeply missed. Columbus forward Sean Kuraly told CBS News, "Thinking about him all day, obviously. Drive to the rink and a lot of times I'd pick him up on the way. So he's not there for that." These moments shape the loss felt deeply by teammates and fans alike. While the season will continue, with the Blue Jackets moving forward under new leadership and a renewed roster, the legacy of 'Johnny Hockey' will permeate every game, each play, remembering the player who once lifted the spirits of so many with his unmatched prowess on the ice.
Prior to puck drop tonight, we honored the lives and legacies of Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau with a 13 second moment of silence. ♥️💙 pic.twitter.com/hmPQkLrlH1
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) September 26, 2024
.jpg){kind=link}