Johnny Gaudreau’s teammates with the Columbus Blue Jackets have been given some guidance for managing their feelings as they prepare for the team’s home opener.
They are encouraged to express their emotions freely—if they feel like crying, they should, and if laughter comes, they should embrace that too. The only stipulation is to play the game in a way that honors “Johnny Hockey.”
This Tuesday is set to be an emotional evening in Columbus as the Blue Jackets face off against the Florida Panthers. The night will serve as a tribute to Johnny Gaudreau, a prominent player who would have been starting his third season with the club and celebrating his eleventh year in the NHL, and to his brother Matthew Gaudreau. Tragically, both brothers lost their lives on August 29 when they were reportedly struck by a suspected impaired driver while cycling on a rural New Jersey road, just before their sister Katie’s wedding.
“It is truly an unprecedented situation, one that we never wanted to confront, and nobody ever wants to face something like this,” remarked Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason as the team prepared for the special evening. “But we have to.”
Johnny, 31, wore the number 13 jersey, while 29-year-old Matthew, who had a five-season career in various leagues including the AHL and ECHL, wore the number 21. In memory of the brothers, all 32 NHL teams have adorned their helmets with patches featuring the numbers 13, 21, and the letter G, which will be on display until October 24. USA Hockey has also planned similar tributes across its teams at various levels this year.
The night of tributes will be unmistakable, particularly the number “13.” Both teams are set to wear jerseys during warm-ups featuring the name Gaudreau and the number 13; these jerseys will be available for auction and raffle to support the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation. The number “13” will also be highlighted on the rink behind the goals. Every attendee will receive a “13” patch that the Blue Jackets players will don throughout the season.
Although the game is scheduled to commence at 7 p.m., the actual puck drop is slated for 7:13, further emphasizing the tribute to Gaudreau.
“Whatever the fans or the team require to initiate that healing process, we are honored to be part of it,” stated Panthers coach Paul Maurice.
Johnny Gaudreau, who measured at 5-foot-9 and weighed 165 pounds, enjoyed a stellar collegiate career at Boston College before making his NHL debut during the last game of the 2013-14 season with the Calgary Flames. He scored his first goal with his very first shot in that game, and his career only continued to flourish from that moment.
Interestingly, Sean Monahan, who played alongside Gaudreau in Calgary and now with Columbus, was the one who retrieved the puck after Gaudreau’s initial goal.
“I witnessed his influence firsthand. He made an impression on so many people,” Monahan commented. “Even competitors admire him, study his game, and aspire to emulate what he does.”
Looking ahead, the Blue Jackets are eager to embrace a new tradition involving the term “donkey,” a nickname that Johnny Gaudreau fondly used among friends and teammates. Traditionally, the player recognized for their performance would wear a Civil War-style kepi hat, chosen by the previous recipient. This has now been modified, and the winner will instead don a donkey hat, with Monahan as the first honoree.
“I’m truly pleased we’ve made this change,” Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson remarked. “It fits us perfectly. It was a terrific idea. We just wish our little guy was still around to call us that, but I think Monny is definitely the right person to carry that first honor.”
Guy Gaudreau, father of the late brothers and an experienced coach, joined the Blue Jackets for practice in Columbus on Monday and is expected to participate in the morning skate on Tuesday. Family members are also set to be present for the match. The tributes will extend beyond this game, continuing in various forms in the years ahead.
“Undoubtedly, there will be challenging moments,” Gudbranson added. “We still feel the void he left.”