Johnny Gaudreau's Family Watch Somberly as Blue Jackets Raise Memorial Banner After His Death

Mar. 15, 2025

Sean Monahan #23 of the Columbus Blue Jackets stands on the ice with Meredith Gaudreau, and Eddie Morris during a remembrance for her husband, former Columbus Blue Jackets Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew prior to the start of the game against the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Gaudreau, who along with his brother Matthew, was killed by a suspected drunk driver on August 29, 2024.

Kirk Irwin/NHLI via Getty

Tears flowed inside Nationwide Arena as the Columbus Blue Jacketsraised a banner honoring their late teammateJohnny Gaudreaubefore turning their attention to the game he loved.

At center ice, Johnny’s widowMeredithstood holding their 2-year-old daughterNoa, who pointed at her late father’s name and number as it rose above the ice. And next to them, Johnny’s longtime friend and teammateSean Monahanstood with Johnny’s infant son, also named Johnny after his father, nestled safely in his arms.

Players from both teams lined up alongside them and tapped their sticks — hockey’s version of a 21-gun salute — and fans chanted “Johnny Hockey!”

Johnny was 31. Matthew was 29.

Meredith Gaudreau walks onto the ice during a remembrance for her husband, Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau before the home opener against the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Gaudreau along with his brother Matthew were killed by a driver while biking in Salem County, New Jersey in August.

Jason Mowry/Getty

When it did come time to drop the puck, the Panthers let Monahan — who signed with the Blue Jackets this offseason to play with Johnny — scoop up the face off and dish it over to Florida’s Sam Bennett, another one of Johnny’s longtime teammates, who rested the puck in the spot where Johnny would have been. Referees allowed 13 seconds to tick off the clock before play resumed, a nod to Johnny’s jersey number.

“It’s an emotional night for the hockey world,” Bennett said after the game, according toESPN. “I’m glad I can be here and honor his legacy in any way.”

Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of former Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau, walks out onto the ice while carrying her child for remembrance ceremony prior to the start of the game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Gaudreau, who along with his brother Matthew, was killed by a suspected drunk driver on August 29, 2024.

“Johnny Hockey,” as he was known, earned a reputation as one of the NHL’s best and most down-to-Earth players throughout his 10 seasons in the league — his most recent two with the Columbus Blue Jackets after eight seasons with the Calgary Flames, where he also played with Monahan and Bennett.

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Fittingly, Monahanscoredthe Blue Jackets’ opening goal in their 4-3 loss to Florida. He immediately spun around and pointed to the No. 13 banner. “It was a special, special moment that I’ll remember forever,” Monahantoldreporters after the game, his voice cracking as he spoke. “I felt like Johnny was watching down on us today.”

Sean Monahan (23) of the Columbus Blue Jackets stands in front of his teammates and the Florida Panthers as a banner is raised in remembrance of former Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau prior to the start of the game at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Gaudreau, who along with his brother Matthew, was killed by a suspected drunk driver on August 29, 2024.

After the emotional game, Meredith thanked her late husband’s teammates, fans and Johnny himself on social media.“I’m so proud of you,” Meredith wrote in a message to Johnny on her Instagram Stories. “Will forever celebrate all of your accomplishments and will spread your perfect smile everywhere I go. Biggest accomplishment being an amazing husband and the best father, and simply just a good person.”

source: people.com

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