Columbus Blue Jackets honor late Johnny Gaudreau at home opener

A month and a half after he and his brother were killed in a drunk driving accident , friends and fans of Johnny Gaudreau honored his memory at the Columbus Blue Jackets home opener.

Gaudreau, No. 13, had been with the team since 2022 after moving from the Calgary Flames.

Despite excited crowds of people in Blue Jackets merch grabbing concessions and ready to cheer on their team, the opening game was missing an important player, and that absence was felt.

"I'm gutted," Cathy Kaplan told The Columbus Dispatch as she fought back tears.

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A tribute to the brothers was set up on the arena's lower concourse. Four jerseys — from their days at Boston College, Johnny's time on a U.S. national team and with the Dubuque Fighting Saints — flanked his Jackets' No. 13. More than 100 hockey sticks that had been left outside the arena after the star's death leaned against a window. Signs, hockey pucks and other tributes were on display as well.

"It's not the normal uplifting opening night," said Paula Hammer, who was with her husband and daughter. But it was comforting, she said. "We're all sort of here for Johnny."

Gaudreau, a seven-time NHL All Star, and his brother, Matthew, were fatally struck by a motorist as they bicycled along a Salem County road on Aug. 29.

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The brothers were South Jersey natives, getting their start in hockey at the local ice rink and playing in the program their dad started at Gloucester Catholic High School.

In the weeks following their deaths, the South Jersey and surrounding hockey communities have done their part in mourning the brothers, holding vigils, raising money and coming together to show support to the family.

Posts were made to social media throughout the night for fans that may not have been at the arena.

The NHL included a video on X of the game's puck drop, at which a vacant spot on the left wing and a 13-second pause in play were meant to honor Gaudreau.

ESPN also shared a video to X of Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, making an appearance on the ice with their two children.

The Blue Jackets opening night included a pregame video memorializing Gaudreau and a tribute banner that was raised before the game as the arena erupted into cheers and tears.

And, of course, many proudly wore their No. 13 jerseys.

Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Columbus Blue Jackets honor late Johnny Gaudreau at home opener