The Columbus Blue Jackets will honor the memory of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau throughout their 2024-25 season, incorporating touching tributes that signify their profound loss.
A Heartfelt Tribute
The hockey community was shaken when Johnny Gaudreau, the noted NHL star, and his brother Matthew were tragically lost in a bicycle accident last month. Struck by a drunk driver while cycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, the Gaudreau brothers' untimely passing has reverberated far beyond their immediate family and friends, creating a ripple of mourning that has deeply affected the sports world.
In a display of respect and remembrance, the Blue Jackets have planned several heartfelt gestures to keep the memory of Johnny and Matthew alive. This includes wearing special helmet stickers for all games starting with the preseason match against the Buffalo Sabres on September 23. These blue stickers, tastefully trimmed in gray, are inscribed with "GAUDREAU," encasing two doves between the numbers 13 and 21. The numbers hold significant meaning—Johnny Gaudreau wore number 13 during his illustrious NHL career, while Matthew donned number 21 during his tenure at Boston College.
Commemorative Moments
The tributes extend beyond helmet stickers. The team will also feature a moment of silence in their first home preseason game against the St. Louis Blues on September 25, allowing fans and players alike to reflect on the brothers' impact and legacy. This quiet remembrance will precede the start of an already emotionally charged season.
Another significant aspect of this tribute season will be the games' 50/50 raffles. During all four home preseason games, the proceeds from these raffles will be directed toward the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, a charity set up to honor the brothers' memory and perhaps support causes dear to them.
A Season of Remembrance
The memorial efforts won't cease with the preseason. As the regular season kicks off against the Minnesota Wild on October 10, the Blue Jackets will continue to honor Johnny Gaudreau's legacy. Each player will don a unique patch featuring Johnny's number 13 on their jerseys throughout the entire season. This will serve as a constant reminder of the beloved player and his contributions to the sport.
Moreover, the home opener against the Florida Panthers on October 15 will be a particularly poignant affair. Not only will the players take to the ice bearing the commemorative patches, but every fan attending the game will receive a replica of the number 13 patch, creating a unified show of support and remembrance from both the team and its followers.
Legal Proceedings and Moving Forward
The somber backdrop to these tributes includes the legal proceedings against the driver responsible for the accident. The individual has been arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto. As the legal process unfolds, the Blue Jackets and their supporters find themselves coming together, not just in mourning, but in a powerful tribute to the lives of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
These efforts by the Columbus Blue Jackets exemplify the close-knit and supportive nature of the hockey community. In honoring Johnny and Matthew through various initiatives and symbols, the team ensures their memory will endure, inspiring and uniting fans and players throughout the 2024-25 season and beyond.