Blue Jackets honor Johnny Gaudreau by playing 13 seconds without a left winger - The Athletic

COLUMBUS, Ohio — When the Columbus Blue Jackets came out for the opening faceoff on Tuesday, something — or someone — was missing.

Sean Monahan was in place for the draw, with Cole Sillinger beside him at right wing. Defensemen Zach Werenski and Erik Gudbranson aligned behind them.

The left wing spot — where Johnny Gaudreau would have played — remained empty. Audible gasps could be heard when the visual took root for the standing-room-only crowd of 18,484 in Nationwide Arena.

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It was an emotional night in the arena and not a typical home opener for the Blue Jackets, who lost to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 4-3.

Instead, the team dedicated the evening to the memory of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were struck and killed while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, N.J., in August.

Johnny Gaudreau, who played nine seasons with the Calgary Flames before spending the last two in Columbus, was 31. Matthew, who played with his brother at Boston College and had a minor-league pro career, was 29.

When the puck dropped, neither the Blue Jackets nor the Panthers made a move, instead letting the puck come to a rest where Gaudreau, who wore No. 13, would have stood. They stood in place for exactly 13 seconds.

Saved a spot for Johnny.

Here with us always💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/B4ouWgS0Qo

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 15, 2024

Play resumed a few a seconds later, with 19:47 remaining in the first period.

“It was hard,” said Monahan, choking back tears. “It was a special, special moment that I’ll remember forever.

“I felt like Johnny was watching down on us today. I had a feeling I was going to get one (a goal), and fortunately enough, I did. I definitely could feel John today.”

Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason was obviously aware of the game-opening tribute. But he didn’t know that Monahan was going to slide the puck to his left winger.

“As soon as that happened, I think it hit everybody,” Evason said. “It hit me because then you visualize him standing there. What a fantastic gesture.”

Said Blue Jackets winger James van Riemsdyk, who has played more than 1,000 NHL games: “That’s definitely gotta be up there as one of the most powerful, emotional moments I’ve seen in my time playing hockey.”

Before the game, with Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith, and the couple’s two small children watching, the Blue Jackets raised a “legacy banner” with Gaudreau’s name and number into the rafters of Nationwide Arena.

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Gaudreau’s parents, Guy and Jane, and other family members watched from a private box high above the ice.

Gaudreau’s number is not officially retired, a club spokesman said, but it’s highly unlikely that No. 13 will ever be worn again by a Columbus player.

Meredith Gaudreau received thunderous applause from the sold-out crowd in Nationwide Arena, walking with her two kids — Noa, who turned 2 last month, and Johnny, who was born last February — among a line of Blue Jackets players on one side of the carpet and Panthers on the other side.

Monahan, who signed with the Blue Jackets this summer to play with Gaudreau, his longtime friend and former teammate in Calgary, stepped out of the line to hold one of the kids during the brief ceremony. The Gaudreau and the Monahan families are close, and they planned to raise their kids together in the leafy suburbs of Columbus.

When Monahan scored his second-period goal, he jumped back onto his skates and extended his right arm toward Gaudreau’s banner in the rafters as he was swarmed by teammates.

“I’ll reflect on it probably tonight and in the future,” Monahan said of the evening. “It means a lot for his family, his wife and the kids. The way they honored him here. The whole league, really. The Panthers were there at the ceremony showing their support.

“Yeah, it means a lot.”

13 forever ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qWLV8DNfLa

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 15, 2024

Meredith, whose eulogy of Johnny during his memorial service in early September helped the Blue Jackets adopt a Gaudreau-like love and passion for the game so far this season, reiterated the message in a videotaped message on the scoreboard before the game.

“Hey, fifth line, I want to thank you all for your support through this time,” she said. “Your outpouring of love has helped our family tremendously. As the team gets ready to take a warmup before the game, I don’t want anyone to be sad.

“I want you all to be inspired by the life that John lived. That means to love your family first and foremost, and when it’s time to drop the puck, let’s love the game that John loved. Thank you, and go Jackets.”

"Let's love the game that John loved." -Meredith Gaudreau pic.twitter.com/06YKL5PrxL

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 15, 2024

The Blue Jackets and Panthers took the ice for pregame warmups wearing No. 13 sweaters. Those sweaters will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the John & Matthew Gaudreau Foundation.

(Photo: Jason Mowry / Getty Images)

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Aaron Portzline is a senior writer for The Athletic NHL based in Columbus, Ohio. He has been a sportswriter for more than 30 years, winning national and state awards as a reporter at the Columbus Dispatch. In addition, Aaron has been a frequent contributor to the NHL Network and The Hockey News, among other outlets. Follow Aaron on Twitter @Aportzline