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Johnny Gaudreau Honored at Blue Jackets Home Opener

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4 weeks ago

October 16, 2024

Johnny Gaudreau Honored at Blue Jackets Home Opener

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau had been honored on the Columbus Blue Jackets opening dwelling sport.

Forward of the NHL workforce’s sport in opposition to the Florida Panthers on October 15, the late Johnny Gaudreau’s teammates gathered to pay tribute to him and his brother after they had been killed by an alleged drunk driver in August.

Johnny Gaudreau’s spouse, Meredith Gaudreau, was in attendance, together with their 2-year-old daughter Noa and 7-month-old son Johnny, who had been sporting #13 jerseys. The three appeared on the ice as a banner was raised with the late athlete’s quantity. Meredith Gaudreau wiped away tears as little Noa appeared to wave to the banner.

Meredith Gaudreau walks onto the ice throughout a remembrance for her husband, Columbus Blue Jackets participant Johnny Gaudreau earlier than the house opener in opposition to the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Enviornment on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Jason Mowry / Getty Photos

A tribute video of Johnny Gaudreau’s early beginnings and hockey profession was proven, with the late star speaking about his love for the sport. The video additionally highlighted his marriage and household.

In a pre-recorded video, Meredith Gaudreau, who’s pregnant with their third baby, mentioned she didn’t “need anybody to be unhappy. I need you all to be impressed by the life that John lived.”

“Which means love your loved ones firstly, and when it’s time to drop the puck, let’s love the sport that John liked,” she mentioned.

A slideshow full of household pictures was additionally shared, with songs like “Reminiscence Lane” by Previous Dominion, “Small City Woman” by Dustin Lynch and “Stargazing” by Justin Jeso and Kygo performed. Because the groups stepped out onto the ice, followers cheered, “Johnny hockey.”

Johnny Gaudreau’s household, together with his mother and pop, had been additionally in attendance, as was Matthew Gaudreau’s widow, Madeline Gaudreau, who’s anticipating her and her late husband’s first baby.

Meredith Gaudreau walks onto the ice during a remembrance for her husband, Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau before the home opener against the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. — Meredith Gaudreau walks onto the ice throughout a remembrance for her husband, Columbus Blue Jackets participant Johnny Gaudreau earlier than the house opener in opposition to the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Enviornment on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Kirk Irwin / NHLI through Getty Photos

A PSA was additionally shared in a video earlier than the sport, saying, “If you’re consuming tonight, don’t drink and drive.”

To proceed the tributes, the Blue Jackets gamers wore a “13” patch on their jerseys, which they are going to put on all season. Everybody who attended the sport additionally obtained the “13” patch.

Number 13 in honor of Johnny Gaudreau patch handed out to fans before the game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on Oct. 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. — Quantity 13 in honor of Johnny Gaudreau patch handed out to followers earlier than the sport between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Enviornment on Oct. 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Jason Mowry / Getty Photos

When the sport began, the workforce “saved a spot for Johnny” by not together with a left winger and 13 seconds taken off the clock for him.

Number 13 in honor of Johnny Gaudreau displayed on ice before the game during the Oct. 15, 2024 game in Columbus, Ohio. — Quantity 13 in honor of Johnny Gaudreau displayed on ice earlier than the sport throughout the Oct. 15, 2024 sport in Columbus, Ohio. Jason Mowry / Getty Photos

At Nationwide Enviornment in Columbus, there may be additionally a particular tribute for the brothers that features jerseys and memorabilia. In the course of the night time there have been varied alternatives to boost funds for the John and Matthew Gaudreau Basis, together with a jersey public sale, raffle and lapel pin gross sales.

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau had been using bikes after they had been struck by an alleged drunk driver that resulted of their deaths, based on police. The brothers had been of their hometown and set to attend their sister’s marriage ceremony.

Madeline Gaudreau lately held her child bathe and paid tribute to her late husband with the decor. A poster shared on her Instagram learn “Welcome To Our Child Bathe, Matty & Madeline.”

Madeline Gaudreau, who’s anticipating a boy, wrote on her submit, “my husband would have liked all of the balloons.”

“The best way you had been capable of tie in my husband introduced instantaneous tears once I walked in,” she wrote. “All my family and friends, nothing will deliver his dad again or uncle john, however I’m glad he has so many superb folks round him to remind him how superb they had been.”

Final month, the Blue Jackets and their households additionally celebrated Johnny and Meredith’s daughter Noa’s second birthday by gathering and organising an enormous garden signal that learn, “Pleased 2nd Birthday Noa!”