At Nationwide Arena, emotions ran high as the Columbus Blue Jackets held a poignant ceremony before their home opener against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. The event was a tribute to Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew, who tragically lost their lives on August 29 when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes.
Both teams participated in pregame warm-ups wearing jerseys featuring Gaudreau’s number 13. With numerous friends and family members in the audience, Johnny’s widow Meredith and his brother-in-law Eddie brought Gaudreau’s children, Noa and Johnny, to center ice. Meredith was visibly emotional as a banner commemorating Gaudreau, displaying his number and the years “1993-2024,” was unveiled. Members of the Gaudreau family embraced as the banner was lifted to the rafters.
The crowd responded with a heartfelt chant of “Johnny Hockey,” honoring Gaudreau’s legacy as play resumed. When it was time for the puck to drop, the Blue Jackets intentionally left Gaudreau’s position vacant, allowing both teams to stand in silence for the moment. The puck was placed in Johnny’s empty spot, and 13 seconds were allowed to tick off the clock to commemorate his number.
In a pre-recorded message played during the event, Meredith expressed gratitude for the community’s support and encouraged fans to celebrate Johnny’s life rather than mourn, emphasizing the importance of love for family and the game.
Both brothers’ wives are currently expecting children; Meredith revealed she is pregnant with their third child, while Matthew’s wife, Madeline, is set to welcome their first child, a son, next month.
The team honored Johnny by distributing patches with his number to fans and adjusted the puck drop time to 7:13 p.m. ET, symbolically recognizing his jersey number once more.