Blue Jackets honor Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau before home opener

It was one of many emotional moments in honor of Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, who died Aug. 29 when they were riding bicycles near their home in Salem County, New Jersey, and struck by an alleged drunken driver who has been charged with two counts of death by auto. Johnny, Columbus’ leading scorer the past two seasons, was 31. Matthew, a former minor league forward, was 29.

Bennett said he thought of Johnny during his pregame meal. He and Johnny usually would be the last two on the Calgary team bus on the road. Johnny would eat Raisin Bran but pick out all the raisins.

“It ended up putting a little smile on my face,” Bennett said. “I have a million stories about Johnny, but that was one that I thought of today.”

Florida players walked into the arena carrying two of Johnny’s favorites — Skittles and purple Gatorade — an idea Bennett said came from forward Matthew Tkachuk, who played with Johnny with the Flames from 2016-22. Tkachuk did not play due to illness.

“Johnny was a huge part of the hockey community, but to me, he was much more than that,” Tkachuk said in a statement. “A great friend, teammate and family man. Not a day goes by without me thinking about Johnny and Matthew.”

Johnny’s image stretched alongside the front of Nationwide Arena as it did before, but with the Blue Jackets adding this in a black box: “JOHNNY GAUDREAU 1993-2024.” The makeshift memorial that once sat beneath it now sat in the concourse.

No. 13 was painted on the ice behind each net. Each team wore No. 13 Gaudreau jerseys during warmups, and many fans wore No. 13 jerseys in the stands. As the ice was resurfaced before the game, a projector turned it blue and displayed No. 13 and Matthew’s No. 21. The Blue Jackets played a slideshow of Johnny’s life and career.

The teams came out of their locker rooms, lined up on the goal lines and watched a video montage along with the fans. Johnny spoke about his life and career in his own words.

“I think when it’s all said and done,” he said, “I just want to be kind of remembered as a guy who just wanted to be around the rink, around his friends, around his family.”

The teams gathered in front of the benches and lined opposite sides of a blue carpet. Johnny’s wife, Meredith, and two young children — son Johnny and daughter Noa — walked out with his brother-in-law while other members of the Gaudreau family watched from a suite.

“It means a lot for his family, his wife, his kids, the way they honored him here,” Monahan said. “I mean, the whole League. The Florida Panthers behind the ceremony there, showing their support, yeah, it means a lot.”