Columbus Blue Jackets Honor Johnny Gaudreau

The Columbus Blue Jackets held an emotional home opener against the Florida Panthers, paying tribute to star player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who tragically died in a hit-and-run incident on August 29. The event was marked by tributes, including both teams wearing Gaudreau's jersey during warm-ups and a banner raising ceremony featuring his No. 13 jersey. Before the game, the teams observed 13 seconds of silence for Gaudreau, with the Blue Jackets starting the game with four skaters to honor him. His wife, Meredith, urged fans to celebrate Johnny's life and love for hockey through a recorded message. The night also saw emotional support from both teams' players and Gaudreau's family, highlighting the profound impact he had on the hockey community. This tribute is part of ongoing remembrances across the NHL, with teams wearing special decals to honor the brothers.