Last week's tragic bike crash that claimed the lives of Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, brought together hundreds of community members for a vigil outside Nationwide Arena in Ohio. The event, held yesterday night, featured 13 minutes and 21 seconds of silence to honor the brothers' respective jersey numbers, with Johnny donning the No. 13 for Columbus and Matthew wearing No. 21 during his college hockey tenure, as reported by WLWT. On-site, a growing memorial of candles, flowers, and hockey sticks was a poignant tribute to the athletes.
During the solemn gathering, teammates remembered the Gaudreaus' contribution to the sport and their impact off the ice. Blue Jackets player Erik Gudbranson said, "Our hearts are shattered in a million pieces, there's no doubt about that,” in a statement obtained by WBNS. The Blue Jackets organization spoke to the tight-knit nature of the hockey community, anchored by shared experiences and respect. According to WBNS, Cole Sillinger, a forward for the Jackets, recalled Johnny's relaxed nature and how he instilled a lesson in not worrying over minor issues without explicitly saying so.
The Gaudreau brothers were struck by a vehicle driven by 43-year-old Sean Higgins, who is currently facing two counts of vehicular homicide and is being held without bond. In the wake of this harrowing incident, speakers at the vigil urged those in attendance to prioritize safety and ensure responsible travel arrangements are made to prevent future tragedies. The attendees echoed this message, as stated in the same WLWT report.
Additionally, ABC 6 On Your Side revealed personal anecdotes from Gudbranson, who, at 6'5", shared a special bond with the 5'9" Johnny. In a poignant recollection, Gudbranson shared My tradition with Johnny, 5'9", lifting him in a bear hug and not letting him go until he said he loved him. "And he wouldn't tell me for a long time." The loss of the Gaudreau brothers has left an indelible mark on their family, friends, and the wider hockey community, as expressed at the vigil and reported by ABC6.
.jpg){kind=link}