The Columbus Blue Jackets held multiple powerful tributes for Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew during their Home Opener at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday. The Gaudreau brothers tragically died in late August after they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while bicycling together in New Jersey.
The most poignant moment came during the game’s opening faceoff, where Sean Monahan, one of Gaudreau’s best friends, took the draw and won it uncontested to Florida’s Sam Bennett, Gaudreau’s former teammate in Calgary. Bennett then moved the puck to Columbus’s empty left wing, where Gaudreau would have lined up.
The puck sat there untouched for 13 seconds in honor of Gaudreau’s jersey number. Fans rose to cheer as players loudly banged their sticks against the ice or boards.
Before the emotional puck drop, the Blue Jackets shared a five-and-a-half-minute tribute video narrated by Gaudreau, featuring videos and photos from his career and life. Afterward, Columbus raised a banner with Gaudreau’s name and number to the rafters as his family watched from the ice.
The Nationwide Arena crowd thunderously chanted “Johnny Hockey” throughout the ceremony. Monahan joined Johnny’s wife Meredith and held their son Johnny Jr. in his arms as the banner rose.
Warmups were also used as a tribute to the Gaudreaus, as every Blue Jackets and Panthers player wore number 13 jerseys.
Both the Blue Jackets and Panthers will be wearing Johnny Gaudreau jerseys for warmups ahead of Columbus’ home opener ❤️
(via @BlueJacketsNHL, @FlaPanthers) pic.twitter.com/NMZtIiPduo
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 15, 2024
Columbus and Florida are auctioning off both sets of sweaters to benefit the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation. The Blue Jackets raised over $250,000 on Tuesday night, while the Panthers plan to do their fundraising at a later date.
Blue Jackets fans entering Nationwide Arena were greeted by a replica of Gaudreau’s locker, jerseys worn by both brothers, equipment, and items from the original fan memorial outside the arena.
A tribute to Johnny Gaudreau will be on display tonight and throughout the season for fans attending #CBJ games.
The tribute includes a replica locker, Johnny's game worn jerseys and equipment, and items from the fan memorial. pic.twitter.com/cEQKxSOGqC
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 15, 2024
Once the puck was dropped, Monahan also left his stamp on the game on the scoresheet notching his second goal of the season in the second period. After scoring, he immediately pointed to the banner as tears seemingly began to well up in his eyes.
“I’ll reflect probably tonight and in the future, but it means a lot for his family, his wife, his kids, the way they honored him here,” Monahan said”postgame. “I mean, the whole league. The Florida Panthers behind the ceremony there, showing their support. Yeah, it means a lot.”
While the defending champion Panthers reeled off three straight goals in the back half of the game to earn the two points, the night was still a befitting sendoff for a man who had committed his and his young family’s future to Columbus before tragically passing far too soon.
Columbus plans to honor both brothers with helmet stickers and a jersey patch throughout this season.
