It was an emotional night at Nationwide Arena as the Columbus Blue Jackets honored the memory of Johnny Gaudreau, who tragically passed away nearly a month ago. The opening ceremony featured a touching video tribute to the star player, followed by 13 seconds of silence to commemorate his uniform number, No. 13.

The Blue Jackets went on to secure a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues in their preseason game, but the focus remained on honoring the legacy of Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. The brothers were fatally struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles near their home in New Jersey on the eve of a family wedding.

As a tribute to the Gaudreau brothers, the Blue Jackets have started wearing helmet stickers featuring their names and respective numbers. The team plans to continue this tribute throughout the season, with players also wearing a commemorative patch in Gaudreau’s memory.

Despite the somber mood, the Blue Jackets are determined to move forward and honor Gaudreau’s legacy both on and off the ice. The upcoming home opener on Oct. 15 will be dedicated to paying tribute to the Gaudreau brothers, postponing traditional activities to celebrate their lives.

The loss of Gaudreau has left a void in the team, but the players have come together to support each other and honor his memory. Coach Dean Evason emphasized the close-knit bond among the team, highlighting their unity during this difficult time.

This is not the first time the Blue Jackets have faced tragedy, having lost goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks in a previous offseason. The team has shown resilience in overcoming adversity and honoring the memories of their fallen teammates.

On the ice, the Blue Jackets delivered a strong performance in their preseason victory, with goals from Denton Mateychuk and Kirill Marchenko, supported by assists from Sean Kuraly. Kent Johnson sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final seconds.

Despite the challenges, the Blue Jackets remain united and focused on honoring the legacy of Johnny Gaudreau as they navigate the upcoming season.

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