As the Columbus Blue Jackets gear up for the 2024-25 NHL season, the team and its fans are preparing for a poignant tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, whose lives were tragically lost in a bicycle accident last month. The entire season will serve as a heartfelt homage to the brothers, who were well-known and beloved in their respective hockey circles.
A Season of Tribute
Throughout the season, the Blue Jackets will wear special helmet stickers in memory of Johnny and Matthew. From their first preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres on September 23, players will don these commemorative stickers. Designed with blue and gray trim, the stickers prominently feature "GAUDREAU" encasing two doves, alongside the numbers 13 and 21. These numbers hold deep significance: Johnny Gaudreau wore number 13 during his illustrious NHL career, while Matthew sported number 21 during his time at Boston College.
The tribute extends beyond helmet stickers. The Blue Jackets have also planned a moment of silence to honor Johnny and Matthew before their first home preseason game against the St. Louis Blues on September 25. Fans and players alike will pause to reflect on the lives and legacies of the Gaudreau brothers, ensuring they are remembered throughout the community.
Charity Raffles and Foundation Support
The team aims to channel its grief into positive action by fundraising through a unique 50/50 raffle held during all four home preseason games. Proceeds will benefit the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, an organization set up to commemorate their legacy and support causes close to their hearts. The first regular-season encounter will be against the Minnesota Wild on October 10, another opportunity to remember the brothers on the ice.
Memory through Uniforms
The Blue Jackets are also incorporating Johnny Gaudreau’s iconic number 13 into their uniforms for the entire season. The special patch will be worn on their jerseys, serving as a constant reminder of Johnny's influence and contributions to the sport. In a gesture aimed at involving the fans, the Blue Jackets will distribute replicas of the No. 13 patch to all attendees during their home opener against the Florida Panthers on October 15. This initiative ensures that Johnny’s spirit lives on not just through the players, but through the supporters who cherished his performances.
A Tragic Accident
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s lives were tragically cut short in a horrific incident when they were struck by a drunk driver while riding their bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. The driver involved has since been arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto, bringing some measure of judicial closure to this devastating event. The accident has not only affected their family but has also left a significant impact on the entire hockey community. The NHL and collegiate levels have mourned the loss of two promising and respected individuals.
The Blue Jackets' efforts to honor the Gaudreau brothers throughout the season are a testament to the community and brotherhood within the world of hockey. By remembering Johnny and Matthew in such meaningful ways, they are keeping alive the memory and legacy of two individuals who left an indelible mark on the sport and those around them.