Johnny Gaudreau’s Columbus teammates have been given a few options for how to handle their emotions during the Blue Jackets’ home opener. The Blue Jackets will be hosting the Florida Panthers in a highly emotional night in Columbus on Tuesday. This game will serve as a tribute to Johnny Gaudreau, the star player who tragically lost his life alongside his brother Matthew Gaudreau in a fatal accident on August 29. The Gaudreau brothers were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding their bicycles on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding.
The Blue Jackets are honoring the Gaudreau brothers by wearing decals on their helmets with the numbers 13 and 21, representing Johnny and Matthew's jersey numbers, along with the letter G. All 32 NHL teams are also participating in this tribute until October 24. The game will be filled with tributes, including players wearing jerseys bearing the name Gaudreau and number 13 during warmups, with these jerseys being auctioned off to benefit the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation.
