Columbus Blue Jackets pay an emotional tribute to Johnny Gaudreau during home opener leaving fans in tears
The Columbus Blue Jackets paid an emotional tribute to Johnny Gaudreau during their home opener against the Florida Panthers.
The Columbus Blue Jackets this year have gone above and beyond to honour the legacy of Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother Matthew following their death not long before the start of the regular season.
Many hockey teams around the league have also paid touching tributes to the Gaudreau brothers following their passing, including the Boston Bruins, but nothing will top the way the Blue Jackets honoured him during their home opener.
A memorial for Johnny Gaudreau was set up inside Nationwide Arena before the home opener which included a replica of Johnny Gaudreau's locker, game worn jersey, sticks and many other memorabilia.
To begin their tribute to Johnny Gaudreau this evening, both teams wore number 13 jersey's, with Gaudreau's name on the back during warmups to honour him and then they had a ceremony where they would officially retire his number.
That wouldn't stop the tribute to Johnny Gaudreau. When the teams were set to drop the puck for the beginning of the game, the Blue Jackets had four players on the ice leaving the left-wing position open for Johnny Gaudreau. The puck would be dropped, and Evan Rodrigues would allow Sean Monohan to win the draw over to Gaudreau's position, and they would let the puck sit there for 13 seconds.
If this doesn't bring you to tears, I don't know what will. Such a sad moment, and awesome job by the Columbus Blue Jackets to honour Johnny Gaudreau.
As seen on NYRangersinsider:
Emotional tribute: Blue Jackets begin home opener without left winger to honour Johnny Gaudreau
