NHL to honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau with helmet stickers

The NHL will start the upcoming season by honoring Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, with helmet stickers worn by players on all 32 teams.

The decal, featuring a capital ‘G’ flanked by a No. 13 on the left and No. 21 on the right, will be displayed starting with games Friday and Saturday in Czechia during the NHL’s global series through Oct. 24, when the Los Angeles Kings host the San Jose Sharks for the league’s final home opener.

Johnny Gaudreau wore No. 13 during a standout playing career at Boston College before taking it to the NHL with the Calgary Flames and Blue Jackets. Matthew Gaudreau wore No. 21 at Boston College, playing one season with his brother there, before shifting into professional hockey in the AHL, ECHL and Europe.

The Blue Jackets placed their own memorial sticker on helmets prior to their first preseason game last week in Buffalo. It features the brothers' numbers flanking two white doves that will adorn the Jackets' helmets all season. The Blue Jackets also played a video shown league wide before holding a 13-second moment of silence before their first home preseason game.

There is also a pregame memorial planned for the team's home opener Oct. 15 to honor the brothers, who were killed Aug. 29 while bicycling in New Jersey.

In addition, the Blue Jackets will wear a No. 13 patch on their uniforms for the duration of the season, starting with the first regular season game Oct. 10 in Minnesota. Fans attending the home-opener Oct. 15 against the Florida Panthers will also receive a No. 13 patch.

bhedger@dispatch.com

@BrianHedger

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: NHL to honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau with helmet stickers