As the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings arrived at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, one name was on everyone’s minds: Johnny Gaudreau. Both teams took the time to honor the late Blue Jackets forward ahead of the Stadium Series matchup.
Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by an alleged drunk driver while biking in August. The league and the Blue Jackets have honored the Gaudreaus throughout the season, particularly Johnny, who was a beloved player with the Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames. (The driver has pleaded not guilty.)
Johnny Gaudreau’s family led the Blue Jackets into the stadium on Saturday. Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, and his two children wore jackets with Gaudreau’s No. 13 and Stadium Series patches.
The family also led Columbus out pregame. The Blue Jackets all wore a special No. 13 patch on their Stadium Series jerseys to honor Gaudreau, as they have throughout the season.
Detroit also paid tribute to the late forward ahead of the matchup. All of the Red Wings wore jerseys from throughout the Gaudreau’s careers, including Johnny’s Team USA jersey and Matthew’s Boston College jersey.
Beyond honoring Gaudreau, the matchup was also heightened by playing in the Buckeyes’ football stadium. Thousands of fans packed into the Horseshoe for the outdoor game, despite the temperatures being below freezing.
The game also has high stakes: Detroit and Columbus are tied in the standings at 66 points, and are at the top of the postseason wild-card race.
Recognizing the Gaudreaus and their contributions to hockey has been a through line of this NHL season. All 32 NHL teams started the season by wearing helmet decals with both of the brothers’ jersey numbers. Columbus also honored Johnny at the first home game of the year and at the first matchup between the Blue Jackets and the Flames, his two former teams.
