The Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers made a heartwarming tribute to Johnny Gaudreau on Tuesday.
The 2024-25 NHL season has officially started in Columbus, with Tuesday being the Blue Jackets’ home opener in front of their fans. And, as expected, the tributes for Gaudreau and his brother Matthew — who were killed in a tragic accident that shouldn’t have happened in August — poured in throughout the evening.
MORE: What is the helmet decal NHL players are wearing to honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau?
Perhaps the most touching moment of all came before Tuesday’s game started, as both the Blue Jackets and Panthers stepped out onto the ice for pregame warmups in No. 13 jerseys, a tribute to the number worn by Gaudreau throughout his career.
Tonight during warmups, both teams will honor Johnny by wearing his jersey ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/WQtaJ34Cr8
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 15, 2024
1️⃣3️⃣
An extra special warmup jersey for tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/MBbxjm2v3K
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 15, 2024
Here are the jerseys in action as the teams skated for warmups.
For #13 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VA9oEEeLBP
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 15, 2024
What an incredibly moving tribute to a hockey player and person lost all too soon.
