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NHL players always pick a team outfit theme to enter the stadium for outdoor games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings made sure that late Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew were well represented at Saturday’s NHL NHL Stadium Series game at Ohio Stadium.
The brothers were killed on Aug. 29 after being hit by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes down a country road in Salem County, New Jersey, near their family hometown.
The Gaudreau family, including Johnny’s widow Meredith, led Blue Jackets players toward the stadium complex. Players wore Avalon hoodies, sweatpants and a hat with three stars, just like “Johnny Hockey” used to wear to the rink.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings posted video of Detroit players wearing various jerseys that the Gaudreaus wore during their careers. They included Boston College, where both brothers played, and Team USA, which Johnny represented multiple times.
There has been a season-long tribute to Johnny Gaudreau. The Blue Jackets keep his jersey in their dressing room, and so did Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Honorary captain and “Miracle on Ice” hero Mike Eruzione wore the jersey on the ice before the championship game against Canada.
The Calgary Flames, where Gaudreau was drafted and played before he signed with Columbus, held a pregame ceremony in December.
Blue Jackets fans sang happy birthday to Gaudreau’s 1-year-old son, Johnny Jr., at a game last month.
The family’s father, Guy, has helped out at Philadelphia Flyers practices and was included in the USA’s 4 Nations team photo.
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