Columbus Blue Jackets honour Johnny Gaudreau with heartfelt tribute at home opener

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Tom Banks
October 15, 2024 (10:02 PM)

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Johnny Gaudreau's passing hit everyone in the NHL hard, and now his last team has paid tribute ahead of their season opener.

The past few months have been very hard for everyone in the NHL after the passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, and with games now officially starting, the tributes have continued flowing. On Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets officially began their season at home with a matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, which was led in by an emotional tribute to No. 13 and his incredible career in the NHL.

The fans in attendance showed incredible love to the Gaudreau tribute in what was an emotionally gripping scene in Columbus, with Johnny's family there supported by his best friend Sean Monahan, who held the late Gaudreau's son during the banner-raising moment.

Finally, the game officially began with a face-off, and in that moment, the team left the left-wing position open for Gaudreau, as both teams let 13 seconds run off the clock to a standing ovation from the fans and both benches, with Monahan again involved as he took the face-off which should have come next to his best friend once more.

The fans then began a "Love you, Johnny" chant, which brought emotion and tears to the eyes of everyone in attendance, in what was an incredible way to start the season and honor one of the NHL's most beloved players. Given the pure emotion involved and the heartbreak on the face of Johnny's family, friends, teammates, and fans, it's just yet another reminder of how fleeting and valuable life is.

Johnny Hockey will be remembered forever in the NHL as one of the most exciting players on the ice and one of the most loveable away from it, and with a trip to Calgary later this season, it's safe to say this isn't the last beautiful, emotional tribute we'll see.