NHL
NHL Helmet Patch for Gaudreau; Team Visits for Daughter’s Birthday
One month later, the impact and loss of Johnny Gaudreau and his Brother Matthew, who was killed by an alleged drunk driver while riding their bicycles on a rural New Jersey road, are still being felt across the NHL, but especially in Columbus, where Johnny played for the last two seasons.
The accident occurred the night before their sister’s wedding.
On Monday, the NHL announced that all 32 teams would honor the Gaudreau brothers with a special helmet patch. The patch will be worn through Oct. 24, the final home opener when the LA Kings host the San Jose Sharks.
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The decal honors the brothers with their hockey numbers, bookending a large G for Gaudreau. The tribute is in addition to the in-game tribute video that NHL teams showed during the preseason.
The NHL season begins Wednesday, Oct. 2, when the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres play in Prague, Czechia.
Johnny, 31, played 11 seasons in the NHL, the first nine with the Calgary Flames and the last two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Matthew, 29, played in the minor leagues for five seasons after starring for Boston College.
Last week, Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella hosted the men’s father, Guy Gaudreau, at Flyers’ practice. The Pittsburgh Penguins will have the decal on their helmets when they open the regular season at PPG Paints Arena on Oct. 9 against the New York Rangers.
Blue Jackets Celebrate Daughter
Adding unspeakable levels to the Gaudreau tragedy are the several young children who will not get to know their fathers. The wives of both brothers are also expecting.
On Monday, Johnny’s daughter Noa turned two years old. The Columbus Blue Jackets showed up to celebrate her birthday with Gaudreau’s family and wife, Meredith.
The photos were posted to social media.
