The Columbus Blue Jackets all wore Johnny Gaudreau's jersey during warmups, then took the ice with four players at puck drop in their first home game since his death.
A home opener in sports is supposed to be full of adrenaline and excitement — but Tuesday night in Columbus was much different. The Blue Jackets were back on their own home ice for the first time of the 2024-25 season. It was also their first home game since the death of their star, Johnny Gaudreau.
Makeshift memorials popped up almost immediately in both Columbus and Calgary, where he had played his first eight NHL seasons. Moments of silence and other tributes have been all over the NHL since the season began last week, but Columbus' awaited, and they did not disappoint in honoring their fallen star. The team announced that a memorial had been placed inside the arena with game-worn equipment and a replica locker, and items from the fan memorial.
According to New Jersey State police, the Gaudreau brothers were cycling on a road when 43-year-old Sean Higgins, driving in the same direction, attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck them from behind at around 8:30 p.m. ET. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Police said Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and charged with two counts of death by auto and jailed at the Salem County Correctional Facility.
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