Columbus Blue Jackets Celebrate Johnny Gaudreau in Heartfelt Preseason Win Against St. Louis Blues

Wednesday, September 25th, 2024

At Nationwide Arena, the Columbus Blue Jackets held a moving ceremony to honor the late Johnny Gaudreau. The event began with a touching video and 13 seconds of silence during their first home game after his untimely death.

The Blue Jackets triumphed over the St. Louis Blues with a 3-0 win in a preseason match. The team commemorated Gaudreau by wearing helmet stickers displaying his name, doves, and uniform numbers. Forward Sean Kuraly expressed his feelings about John's absence.

Starting in the regular season, players will wear patches featuring Gaudreau's number. The home opener will serve as a tribute to both Johnny and his brother Matthew, who also passed away in the same tragic event.

After a challenging previous season, the Blue Jackets now face the future without Johnny Hockey. His jersey remains in his locker as a symbol of his significant influence both on and off the ice.

Coach Dean Evason talked about the team's strong camaraderie, recognizing the impact of losing Gaudreau as well as the earlier loss of Matiss Kivlenieks.

In their victory, Denton Mateychuk and Kirill Marchenko scored goals, with Kuraly providing assists. Kent Johnson completed the win with an empty-net goal.

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