A house opener in sports activities is meant to be filled with adrenaline and pleasure — however Tuesday night time in Columbus was a lot completely different.
The Blue Jackets had been again on their very own dwelling ice for the primary time of the 2024-25 season. It was additionally their first dwelling sport because the dying of their star, Johnny Gaudreau.
Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, aged 31 and 29 respectively, had been killed in late August by a suspected drunk driver whereas driving their bikes of their hometown in New Jersey the day earlier than their sister’s marriage ceremony.
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Columbus Blue Jackets gamers heat up earlier than the sport in opposition to the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Enviornment on Oct. 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Gamers from each groups are carrying #13 in heat up jerseys in remembrance of Blue Jackets participant Johnny Gaudreau, who alongside together with his brother, was killed by a driver whereas biking in Salem County, New Jersey in August. (Jason Mowry/Getty Photos)
Makeshift memorials popped up virtually instantly in each Columbus and Calgary, the place he had performed his first eight NHL seasons.
Moments of silence and different tributes have been everywhere in the NHL because the season started final week, however Columbus’ awaited, and they didn’t disappoint in honoring their fallen star.
The staff introduced {that a} memorial had been positioned inside the sector with game-worn gear and a reproduction locker, and objects from the fan memorial.
A memorial on honor of Johnny Gaudreau on show 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)
NHL LEGEND HENRIK LUNDQVIST REFLECTS ON JOHNNY GAUDREAU’S DEATH: ‘SUCH A TRAGEDY’
Throughout warmups, each the Blue Jackets and reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers wore Gaudreau jerseys together with his No. 13.
The staff additionally hung Gaudreau’s No. 13 within the rafters.
Then, because the puck dropped, Columbus took the ice with simply 4 gamers, absent a left-winger, the place Gaudreau performed. Each the Panthers and Blue Jackets let 13 seconds run off the clock.
And to place the cherry on high, in what may solely be described as future, one among Gaudreau’s greatest mates on the staff, Sean Monahan, scored the staff’s second purpose of the night time – Monahan and Gaudreau had performed collectively in Calgary, and Monahan signed with Columbus over this offseason to rejoin him. He then pointed to the 13 hanging within the rafters.
Gaudreau’s father, Man, was with the staff on their morning skates Monday and Tuesday.
“It appeared like he was simply having a blast,” Jackets head coach Dean Evason stated. “Simply having enjoyable skating. I stated to him ‘any time you wish to come out, you’re greater than welcome.'”
Man Gaudreau attended a Philadelphia Flyers follow final month. The Gaudreaus dwell proper exterior of Philly.
Followers mourn on the makeshift memorial arrange by followers for Blue Jackets hockey participant Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photograph/Joe Maiorana)
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In response to New Jersey State police, the Gaudreau brothers had been biking on a street when 43-year-old Sean Higgins, driving in the identical course, tried to go two different autos and struck them from behind at round 8:30 p.m. ET.
They had been pronounced useless on the scene. Police stated Higgins was suspected of being inebriated and charged with two counts of dying by auto and jailed on the Salem County Correctional Facility.
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