Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau Honored Ahead of Blue Jackets' Home Opener vs. Panthers | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers honored Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau before Columbus' home opener on Tuesday night.

Prior to dropping the puck, the Blue Jackets shared a video celebrating Johnny's life on and off the ice:

Tonight we honor the lasting impact that Johnny Gaudreau has made on the game of hockey, the city of Columbus, his family, friends and teammates, and all those who will continue to be inspired by his play ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/RcudI1DpzJ">pic.twitter.com/RcudI1DpzJ</a>

Friends and family members of the Gaudreaus were on hand for the game and watched a banner with his No. 13 jersey raised toward the rafters of Nationwide Arena.

The Gaudreau family is in attendance ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/8iOfKyVpom">pic.twitter.com/8iOfKyVpom</a>

13 forever ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/qWLV8DNfLa">pic.twitter.com/qWLV8DNfLa</a>

The tributes continued as the game got underway:

Blue Jackets are opening the game without a left wing. That's where Johnny Gaudreau would have skated, of course. <a href="https://t.co/mag7A5XynU">pic.twitter.com/mag7A5XynU</a>

Saved a spot for Johnny.<br><br>Here with us always💙❤️ <a href="https://t.co/B4ouWgS0Qo">pic.twitter.com/B4ouWgS0Qo</a>

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBJ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CBJ</a> took the opening face-off without a left winger. The puck drop, the clock was allowed to run for 13 seconds and the two teams — the Blue Jackets and Panthers — stood still.<br><br>Then, amid chants of "Johnny Hockey," the game started again with 19:47 on the clock.

The Jackets previously announced they'll wear a commemorative helmet decal with the Gaudreaus' jersey numbers throughout the 2024-25 NHL season. They and the Panthers had Johnny's name and number on their pregame warmups.

Both the Blue Jackets and Panthers will be wearing Johnny Gaudreau jerseys for warmups ahead of Columbus' home opener ❤️ <br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJacketsNHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlueJacketsNHL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/FlaPanthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FlaPanthers</a>) <a href="https://t.co/NMZtIiPduo">pic.twitter.com/NMZtIiPduo</a>

💙13💙 <a href="https://t.co/MNc0YeZgbX">pic.twitter.com/MNc0YeZgbX</a>

The Blue Jackets also have a memorial to the brothers set up inside their home arena:

A tribute to 13 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBJ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CBJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/9z8dQ1LBPh">pic.twitter.com/9z8dQ1LBPh</a>

The memorial display for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau inside Nationwide Arena ❤️<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHL</a>) <a href="https://t.co/xicfpxxwnT">pic.twitter.com/xicfpxxwnT</a>

A tribute to Johnny Gaudreau will be on display tonight and throughout the season for fans attending <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBJ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CBJ</a> games. <br><br>The tribute includes a replica locker, Johnny's game worn jerseys and equipment, and items from the fan memorial. <a href="https://t.co/cEQKxSOGqC">pic.twitter.com/cEQKxSOGqC</a>

Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk was teammates with Johnny for six seasons on the Calgary Flames. An illness kept Tkachuk out of the lineup on Tuesday, but he found a special way to pay homage to Gaudreau.

Panthers rinkside reporter Katie Engleson reported he arranged for Panthers players to arrive with purple Gatorade and a pack of Skittles since both were staples for Gaudreau.

Panthers players with a tribute to Johnny Gaudreau as they enter Nationwide Arena for Columbus's home opener 💜<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/FlaPanthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FlaPanthers</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KatieEngleson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KatieEngleson</a>) <a href="https://t.co/6RmQyl541q">pic.twitter.com/6RmQyl541q</a>

"Unfortunately, I won't be there tonight in Columbus," Tkachuk said in a statement shared by the Panthers. "Johnny was a huge part of the hockey community but to me he was much more than that. A great friend, teammate, and family man. Not a day goes by without me thinking about Johnny and Matthew.

"The biggest thing I'm going to miss about tonight is not being able to see Meredith, Noa, little Johnny, Guy and Jane. Would love to give them all big hugs! Johnny will be my teammate forever."

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver while cycling in New Jersey in August.

Johnny spent 11 years in the NHL, his first nine with the Flames and his last two in Columbus. Matthew skated for Boston College, following in his older brother's footsteps, and eventually returned to his high school alma mater, Gloucester Catholic, as its coach.