Johnny Gaudreau’s Columbus teammates were given some choices on how to express their feelings during the Blue Jackets’ home opener.
The only rule is to play the game the way “Johnny Hockey” would and to keep him in your thoughts.
Emotions were strong in Columbus on Tuesday night as the Blue Jackets honored their star player and his late brother Matthew at their home opener against the Florida Panthers.
One of the highlights was a banner raised in Gaudreau’s memory, with both teams tapping their sticks on the ice in a traditional hockey salute while his family watched with their arms around each other.
As the game started, both teams stood still for 13 seconds—representing Johnny Gaudreau’s number—while the Blue Jackets sent four skaters onto the ice instead of the usual five, leaving his left-wing position empty. The puck was dropped, and Sean Monahan of the Blue Jackets passed it to Sam Bennett of the Panthers.
Monahan and Bennett had played with Johnny Gaudreau in Calgary, making it especially meaningful.
“I don’t want anyone to be sad,” said Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s wife, in a recorded message played just before the game started. “I want you all to be inspired by the life that John lived. That means love your family first and foremost, and when it’s time to drop the puck let’s love the game that John loved.”
Johnny Gaudreau, a key player for the Blue Jackets who would have been starting his third season with the team and his 11th in the NHL, and his brother Matthew, were killed on August 29 when police reported they were hit by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes in New Jersey, just before their sister Katie’s wedding.
“It’s such an unprecedented thing and something that obviously none of us wanted to go through, and nobody ever wants to go through it,” said Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason. “But we have to.”
The 31-year-old Gaudreau wore jersey number 13 for the Blue Jackets. His brother Matthew, who was 29 and played five professional seasons in the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, and in Sweden, wore number 21.
All 32 NHL teams are displaying decals with the numbers 13, 21, and the letter G on their helmets until October 24. USA Hockey is doing a similar tribute for its teams at all levels this year.
On Tuesday, tributes to “13” were everywhere. Both the Blue Jackets and Panthers wore jerseys with Gaudreau’s name and number 13 during warmups; these jerseys will be auctioned and raffled off to support the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation.
There was “13” painted on the ice behind the goals, and every fan in attendance received a “13” patch, which the Blue Jackets players will wear on their jerseys this season.
“It’s an emotional night for the hockey world,” said Bennett. “I’m glad I can be here and honor his legacy in any way.”
Gaudreau was deeply loved by players, even those who were never his teammates. Florida star Matthew Tkachuk, who missed the game due to illness, knew about Gaudreau’s love for purple Gatorade and Skittles. So, every Panthers player got off the bus in Columbus on Tuesday holding Gatorade and Skittles.
“Johnny was a huge part of the hockey community, but to me, he was much more than that,” Tkachuk said. “A great friend, teammate, and family man.”
The Blue Jackets set up a replica of Gaudreau’s locker in the arena for fans to visit. Many fans took the opportunity to stop by, reading signs left in front of Nationwide Arena in the days following the accident that took the brothers’ lives. They hugged, took photos, wiped away tears, and shared memories.
Kristen and Katie, the sisters of Johnny and Matthew, visited the memorial during the game. Kristen wore a No. 13 Columbus jersey in the home blue, while Katie sported a leather jacket with their numbers 21 and 13 on the front and stacked across the back, along with “Gaudreau.”
Johnny Gaudreau, who was 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, was a standout player at Boston College before reaching the NHL. He made his debut in Calgary’s last game of the 2013-14 season, scoring his first goal on his first shot in his first game, and his career continued to shine from there.
Sean Monahan was the player who retrieved the puck after Gaudreau’s first goal. “He had an impact on so many people,” Monahan said.
Monahan never wanted to be called a donkey, but now the Blue Jackets will proudly take on that name. Johnny Gaudreau used the term “donkey” affectionately with friends and teammates.
The Blue Jackets had a tradition where the player of the game wore a Civil War-style kepi hat, chosen by the previous winner. That kepi has now been retired, and the player of the game will now wear a donkey hat. Monahan was the first to receive it.
“I’m really happy that we’ve kind of switched it up,” said Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson. “I think it’s fitting for us. It was a great idea. And, you know, we wish the little guy was still here calling us that, but Monny is the right guy to get that the first time, for sure.”
The tributes will continue for years to come. Guy Gaudreau, the brothers’ father and a longtime coach, practiced with the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Monday and was back for the morning skate on Tuesday. The banner with Johnny’s name was raised, and fans chanted “Johnny Hockey” while his family smiled.
