Blue Jackets fans, players remember Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau at a candlelight vigil in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Followers and Columbus Blue Jackets gamers gathered for an emotional candlelight vigil outdoors the group’s enviornment Wednesday evening to bear in mind Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew, who died final week after they have been struck by a suspected drunken driver whereas using bicycles of their house state of New Jersey.

The gang of of roughly 1,000 outdoors Nationwide Enviornment was inspired at 7:49 p.m. to gentle their candles. For the subsequent 13:21 — for Johnny’s jersey No. 13 and Matthew’s No. 21 — they stood in silent remembrance watching a close-by video display screen as a slideshow performed of the brothers from childhood, by means of their teenage years and into school hockey, the professionals, marriages, baptisms and lives stuffed with pleasure and love.

Flanked by a memorial 20 toes deep and 40 toes vast of jerseys, candles, balloons, stuffed animals, Gatorade bottles and signage, gamers together with captain Boone Jenner, defenseman Erik Gudbranson and ahead Cole Sillinger shared recollections and inspirations they gained from realizing Johnny Gaudreau.

Gudbranson had identified Gaudreau the longest, courting to their time as teammates with the Calgary Flames. He made the gang chuckle sharing tales of Gaudreau barely making it on time to each group assembly and the way he might be out of the locker room in his go well with earlier than Gudbranson had gotten out of his skates.

“A little bit factor I did with John is I’d choose him up and provides him a bear hug, and I wouldn’t put him down till he informed me he cherished me,” Gudbranson informed the gang. “He wouldn’t inform me for a very long time. I do know up right here it was as a result of he loved the hug. We simply miss him a lot.”

When the timer completed counting up and candle wax and tears commingled on the bricks outdoors the world, chants started: “Johnny Hockey, Johnny Hockey, Johnny Hockey.”

At 8:08, the gamers moved again contained in the constructing as one. An identical vigil came about Calgary, the place Johnny Gaudreau performed for almost a decade.

Earlier within the day in Columbus, gamers and normal supervisor Don Waddell tried to make sense of the mindless tragedy.

“Whereas there’s an enormous gap in our lineup, there’s a good greater one in our hearts,” Waddell stated, acknowledging questions stay about how the group will transfer ahead. “Our speedy focus is on supporting the Gaudreau household and supporting one another as we proceed to grieve the lack of Johnny and Matthew.”

Waddell stated the group will look to their leaders. Jenner, who has been captain since 2021, stated the Blue Jackets should persevere and help one another as a collective unit.

“As a group, we’re going to get by means of this collectively,” Jenner stated. “We’re going to grieve, cry, be weak and help one another each step of the best way, however we are going to persevere as a result of I do know that’s what Johnny would’ve wished.”

Gudbranson stated that whereas he has struggled to search out constant connections with many teammates, Gaudreau’s distinctive approach of driving him loopy introduced them collectively.

“You’ll proceed to encourage me to be similar to you,” Gudbranson stated.

Gaudreau turned down extra money from the New Jersey Devils to signal a $68.25 million, seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets in 2022.

Defensemen Zach Werenski highlighted Gaudreau’s determination to maneuver and embrace the town of Columbus.

“You introduced a lot pleasure and pleasure to this metropolis,” Werenski stated. “I’ve by no means fairly seen something prefer it.”

The Gaudreau brothers have been biking on a street in Oldmans Township on Thursday evening when a person driving an SUV in the identical course tried to move two different automobiles and struck them from behind at about 8 p.m., in keeping with New Jersey State Police. They have been pronounced lifeless on the scene.

Police stated the driving force, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, was suspected of being drunk and charged with two counts of demise by auto, together with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motorcar.

Gudbranson ended his assertion with a message to individuals contemplating driving whereas drunk.

“If you concentrate on driving after a number of beers or a enjoyable evening, please, please, please don’t,” Gudbranson stated. “Discover a approach house.”

On the annual NHLPA rookie showcase outdoors Washington, union government director Marty Walsh stated the tragic state of affairs was having wide-ranging results round hockey.

“The deaths of Johnny and his brother are impacting loads of gamers within the league as a complete and clearly is impacting their alma mater, Boston Faculty, and the individuals in Boston,” Walsh stated. “The tributes are stunning to see. We’ve simply obtained to proceed to help the household one of the best we will.”

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AP Hockey Author Stephen Whyno in Arlington, Virginia, contributed to this report.

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