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Entire Blue Jackets team to travel together for Gaudreau brothers' funeral
The entire Columbus Blue Jackets team will travel together for the funeral of Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau. The brothers died on Aug. 29 after being hit by a drunk driver while riding their bikes.
The funeral for the brothers will be on Monday. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said the entire Blue Jackets club will travel to New Jersey for the funeral.
“The outpouring of love for Johnny and Matthew has been remarkable, not only from the NHL family, but from sports communities and people around the world." Waddell said at the press conference, via The Athletic. "From New Jersey to Boston, Calgary to Columbus and everywhere in between, it has inspired us with love and support. I know it means the world to the Gaudreau family, and it means the world to our organization, as well.”
Gaudreau was a star player in the NHL and was just 31. The forward was set to enter the third year of a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets.
“We have four leaders right here [Boone Jenner, Erik Gudbranson, Sean Kuraly and Zach Werenski], who are going to play a major role in it,” Waddell said. “I was talking to Boone this weekend about getting the team together. They are each others’ brothers. It’s everybody’s job to help everybody through.”
Last season with Columbus, he recorded 12 goals and 48 assists for 60 points in 81 games.
Blue Jackets' Erik Gudbranson shares heartfelt message to Gaudreau's family
Columbus held a press conference on Wednesday, with a couple of players telling their favorite stories about Johnny Gaudreau.
Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson played with Gaudreau in Columbus and Calgary, and he gave a heartfelt message to Gaudreau's family.
“My hope for his family is that one day your grief and sorrow is relieved by the beautiful memories those boys gave you,” Gudbranson said. “In the interim, we will always think of you and pray for you. And we will always be available to you."
Gudbranson ended the press conference with a plea for people to stop drinking and driving.
Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner was also emotional, saying this year will be tough on everyone in the organization. But, he said the team will get through it together and grieve and cry together as they look back on all the memories they had with Gaudreau.
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