It was one among many emotional moments in honor of Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, who died Aug. 29 once they had been driving bicycles close to their house in Salem County, New Jersey, and struck by an alleged drunken driver who has been charged with two counts of dying by auto. Johnny, Columbus’ main scorer the previous two seasons, was 31. Matthew, a former minor league ahead, was 29.
Bennett mentioned he considered Johnny throughout his pregame meal. He and Johnny normally can be the final two on the Calgary group bus on the street. Johnny would eat Raisin Bran however pick all of the raisins.
“It ended up placing a little bit smile on my face,” Bennett mentioned. “I’ve one million tales about Johnny, however that was one which I considered right this moment.”
Florida gamers walked into the world carrying two of Johnny’s favorites — Skittles and purple Gatorade — an thought Bennett mentioned got here from ahead Matthew Tkachuk, who performed with Johnny with the Flames from 2016-22. Tkachuk didn’t play on account of sickness.
“Johnny was an enormous a part of the hockey neighborhood, however to me, he was rather more than that,” Tkachuk mentioned in a press release. “An excellent pal, teammate and household man. Not a day goes by with out me enthusiastic about Johnny and Matthew.”
Johnny’s picture stretched alongside the entrance of Nationwide Area because it did earlier than, however with the Blue Jackets including this in a black field: “JOHNNY GAUDREAU 1993-2024.” The makeshift memorial that when sat beneath it now sat within the concourse.
No. 13 was painted on the ice behind every internet. Every group wore No. 13 Gaudreau jerseys throughout warmups, and plenty of followers wore No. 13 jerseys within the stands. Because the ice was resurfaced earlier than the sport, a projector turned it blue and displayed No. 13 and Matthew’s No. 21. The Blue Jackets performed a slideshow of Johnny’s life and profession.
The groups got here out of their locker rooms, lined up on the aim strains and watched a video montage together with the followers. Johnny spoke about his life and profession in his personal phrases.
“I feel when it’s all mentioned and accomplished,” he mentioned, “I simply wish to be form of remembered as a man who simply needed to be across the rink, round his pals, round his household.”
The groups gathered in entrance of the benches and lined reverse sides of a blue carpet. Johnny’s spouse, Meredith, and two younger youngsters — son Johnny and daughter Noa — walked out together with his brother-in-law whereas different members of the Gaudreau household watched from a collection.
“It means lots for his household, his spouse, his children, the way in which they honored him right here,” Monahan mentioned. “I imply, the entire League. The Florida Panthers behind the ceremony there, displaying their assist, yeah, it means lots.”