Blue Jackets fans pay tribute to Johnny Gaudreau outside Nationwide Arena
On Friday morning, New Jersey police sources confirmed to Daily Faceoff that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau, along with his brother Matthew, were killed after being struck by a vehicle while riding their bicycles in Salem County, N.J., outside of Philadelphia.
Fans gathered outside Nationwide Arena in Columbus and placed flowers, sticks and other items to pay tribute to the 31-year-old under a banner that reads “In loving memory of Johnny Gaudreau”.
The flowers are starting to pour in at Nationwide Arena with a banner that says “In loving memory of Johnny Gaudreau”.
All of that below the banner of Johnny. As every fan passes by, no one talks about the goals, each shares the amazing person Johnny was. pic.twitter.com/lfXoIU7EZR
Gaudreau joined the Blue Jackets for the 2022-23 season after signing a seven-year contract, following his magical 115-point run in 2021-22 with the Calgary Flames. He was voted to his seventh All-Star Game in 2022-23 and tallied 12 goals and 48 assists in 81 games last season. Throughout his career, Gaudreau registered 743 points in 763 career games. Gaudreau, one of his generation’s best playmakers, racked up exactly 500 assists.
The NHL confirmed the tragic news Friday morning in a statement from commissioner Gary Bettman.
“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” Bettman said in the statement. “While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path.”
“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice,” said the Columbus Blue Jackets in a team statement Friday morning. “He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him. Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy.”