Columbus Blue Jackets to Honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau Throughout 2024-25 Season
The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to pay a heartfelt tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau throughout the upcoming 2024-25 season. This season-long homage comes in the wake of a tragic cycling accident last month that claimed the lives of the two brothers.
To honor their memory, the Blue Jackets will don special helmet stickers starting their first preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres on September 23. These stickers, designed with a deep blue base and gray trim, will feature "GAUDREAU" encasing two doves nestled between the numbers 13 and 21. Johnny Gaudreau, a prominent figure in the NHL, wore number 13, while Matthew sported number 21 during his time at Boston College.
This touching tribute will extend beyond the preseason. Columbus players will wear these special helmet stickers for the entire season. Before their first home preseason game against the St. Louis Blues on September 25, the Blue Jackets will hold a moment of silence in memory of Johnny and Matthew, recognizing the profound impact their loss has had on the community and the team.
Additionally, a unique 50/50 raffle will be held during all four of the Blue Jackets' home preseason games, with all proceeds benefiting the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation. This foundation aims to continue the legacy of the Gaudreau brothers, promoting safety and support within the community.
The Blue Jackets' first regular-season game is set against the Minnesota Wild on October 10. In another moving gesture, the team will wear a special patch bearing Johnny’s number 13 on their jerseys throughout the entire season. As a sign of solidarity and remembrance, all fans attending the home opener against the Florida Panthers on October 15 will receive a replica of the No. 13 patch.
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were fatally struck by a drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. The driver responsible for the accident was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto. The Blue Jackets' efforts to honor the brothers serve as a poignant reminder of the dangers of drunk driving and the irreplaceable loss it can cause.
Through these memorials, the Blue Jackets aim to honor the lives and legacies of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, ensuring their memories remain an enduring part of the team's journey throughout the 2024-25 season. The heartfelt gestures by the team underscore the sense of camaraderie and mutual support that defines the spirit of sports.