This was absolutely incredible

As The hockey world continues to mourn the loss of Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau, tonight the Columbus Blue Jackets in what was their home opener against the Florida Panthers, had a great tribute night that showed again how this tight community can come together like no other. There several incredible moments throughout the night which started with phenomenal short documentary they aired before puck drop really showing who Johnny was. His love for the game, his up bringing and the family man he was off the ice. We also got to see the many ways Columbus is honouring Johnny this season, they set up a memorial they’ll have all year at Nation Wide, they’re leaving a stall open all season for him, started a new tradition in honour of Johnny with a Donkey hat, Elvis Merzlikins rocking a custom mask, the number 13 painted on both ends of the ice and, really nice is Johnny’s dad Guy has on multiple occasions joined the team at practice in what has gotta be real special.

But as for tonight, what was really cool was that the Panthers all arrived with Purple Gatorade and Skittles in hand, some of Johnnys favourites.

Then during warmups, not only did all of the Blue Jackets players come out in Gaudreau jerseys with the 13, so did the Panthers on the other side. What was tough for me though, was the pre game ceremony where they raised a banner in honour of Johnny with family in attendance. Not a dry eye in the building as, you just feel for this family so much. The cherry on top was when his best friend Sean Monahan would not be stopped and scored a goal on the night, immediately getting up and pointing at the banner of Gaudreau. It embodied the very thing we all love about the great game of hockey perfectly! I cover it all and more in todays NHL hockey video!

#nhl #hockey #highlights #Columbusbluejackets #floridapanthers #johnnygaudreau

27 comments

  8. I was at the game and it was a very surreal experience. I think the Panthers fan(s) behind me said it best after the 2nd puck drop, "Let's play hockey like Johnny would want." We did, and we had a great game.

  9. I think the Panthers won this game fair and respectfully. Both teams fought a hard nosed game and gave it their all. I appreciate them for not pulling punches, because Johnny never did in any of his games, which is how he scored so many goals and assisted so many more of them.

  15. Very beautiful thing to see. As a stars fan you hated seeing him line up against your team but always wanted him to join it. It's sad to see someone go so young, but so amazing to see the tributes and celebration of his life

  17. Probably the hardest moment to watch as the family came out for the banner raise. Loved the empty wing and 13 sec run off. I did see the post from Matthew Tkachuk as he unfortunately was laid up with illness and didn't travel with the team.

  23. Pens fan here. Pretty much every time I think of their deaths it tears me up…
    It's beyond sad… 2 sons, 2 fathers, 2 brothers just stolen from this world by a drunk impatient idiot. So sad.

  26. All season? That locker should be filled until Johnny hockey would be 90. damn drunk driving, this should be the biggest tribute the NHL has seen all generation. I'm a die hard avs fan, but I was ecstatic to see cbj have a great game against my boys

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