Blue Jackets to Honor Gaudreau Brothers in 2024-25 NHL Season

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced their plans to pay tribute to and remember Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau throughout the upcoming 2024-25 National Hockey League (NHL) season. The commemorative activities will begin during the club's first preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres on September 23.

To show their support and remembrance, Blue Jackets players will wear a special sticker on their helmets throughout the entire 2024-25 season. The sticker, colored blue with gray trim, will display "GAUDREAU" and feature two doves positioned between the numbers 13 and 21. The number 13 represents Johnny's jersey number, which he wore throughout his career, while the number 21 signifies Matthew's number during his time at Boston College.

During the Blue Jackets' first preseason home game against the St. Louis Blues on September 25, a solemn moment of silence will be observed to honor the Gaudreau brothers. Furthermore, the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation 50/50 Raffle, presented by Kemba Financial Credit Union, will be open for all four preseason games, and will continue until the second intermission of the regular season home opener on October 15. The total proceeds raised during this time will be donated to the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation.

When the Blue Jackets play their first regular season game against the Minnesota Wild on October 10, the players will wear a jersey patch featuring Johnny's iconic number 13. This tribute will extend throughout the entire season, serving as a constant reminder of the brothers' legacy.

In a departure from the team's usual Opening Night festivities, the Blue Jackets will celebrate the memory of the Gaudreau brothers during their game against the Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, at Nationwide Arena on October 15. All fans attending the game that evening will receive a "13" patch, similar to the one that the players will proudly wear on their jerseys.

The traditional Opening Night activities, including the Opening Night Plaza Party presented by Nationwide, player blue carpet arrivals, and more, will take place prior to the home game against the Sabres on October 17. Additional details about the commemorative events planned for both games will be shared at a later date.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are committed to honoring the Gaudreau brothers and ensuring that their legacy lives on within the hockey community. The upcoming 2024-25 season will serve as a testament to their impact on and off the ice.