Blue Jackets senior advisor recounts grandson's touching soccer celebration story honoring Johnny Gaudreau

By Anjum Rajonno

Modified Oct 31, 2024 06:12 GMT

Columbus Blue Jackets senior advisor John Davidson recently discussed the impact late NHL player Johnny Gaudreau left. He shared a moving story about his grandson JJ, and how JJ paid a special tribute to Johnny during a soccer game.

While speaking on FanDuel Sports Network, Davidson explained that he's had more time with his grandkids lately, including eight-year-old JJ and his brother Brady. He then went on to share the story.

“And one of the great stories, and it's emotional, is my two grandsons were here, and they had a photo with Johnny Gaudreau, and they're both eight years old. They're born two days apart, and now in St. Louis, they're playing sports, and that's Brady on the left, JJ on the right.”

“And I was at their soccer game, and JJ went down and scored a great goal, just a great goal, and he kissed his hand, and he pointed to the sky, it's about a month ago, and I said to him after, I said, boy, that was pretty fancy.”

Davidson later asked JJ about the gesture, and JJ said it was “for Johnny.” He then emphasized that the Blue Jackets organization and its players will continue to honor Johnny Gaudreau and his family.

“Johnny Gaudreau, his brother Matthew, their family, we all know about the tragedy, but we have to remember the impact that these people have, and what Johnny did for a lot of different people. Here are eight-year-old grandsons, they had the picture, and he made an impact, it's just special,” Davison said.

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Johnny Gaudreau’s wife calls Blue Jackets family her ‘second home’

Earlier on Tuesday, Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith posted a heartfelt message on Instagram. In the post, she expressed her gratitude to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, players and fans for the special tribute the team paid to Johnny Gaudreau during their home opener.

During the game, the Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers wore Johnny’s No. 13 during warmups, and fans were moved by a tribute area in the arena. It included a replica locker with his jerseys and other items from a fan memorial dedicated to his brother’s memory. Meredith attended the game with her children, two-year-old Noa and nine-month-old Johnny.

“Thank you to our entire Columbus Blue Jackets family for such a beautiful night celebrating our favorite guy 💙,” she wrote.

“NWA was our second home as a family and a place I still feel close to John in. I could see in Noa’s eyes that she can feel it too.”

She shared how the arena and the Blue Jackets community make her and her children feel connected to Johnny and his late brother, Matthew. Her message ended with a touching tribute to her husband, calling him "the best father and husband."