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"Retire their jerseys": NHL fans react to Columbus Blue Jackets' plans for honoring Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau in 2024-25 season
NHL fans are reacting to the Columbus Blue Jackets' plans to honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in the 2024-25 season. The team announced a few special gestures for the brothers.
All Blue Jackets players will wear helmet stickers with "GAUDREAU," Johnny Gaudreau's No. 13, Matthew's No. 21 and two doves. There will be a moment of silence at the preseason game against the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 25.
The team will also donate the proceeds from 50/50 raffles at all four preseason games and the home opener to the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation. Fans at the home opener on Oct. 15 will get a patch with the No. 13. The players will wear this patch throughout the season.
B/R Open Ice updated fans on X, and they shared their opinions.
"Retire their jerseys!" one fan said.
"Personally I think all players across the league should wear that helmet patch," another fan said.
"This news makes me more than proud and honored to say that I root for the Columbus Blue Jackets," a fan wrote.
Here are some more reactions from fans.
"This is amazing. All that’s left is #13 to be retired for the Flames and Jackets," a fan said.
"That home opener is gonna be so hard…" another wrote.
"W Blue Jackets," a fan hailed.
The incident that cost Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau's lives
On Aug. 29, Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, died in a bike crash in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. They were in town to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding. The crash happened on Country Route 551 North when a driver, who may have been drunk, tried to pass another car and hit the brothers. The driver, Sean M. Higgins, has been charged with two counts of death by auto.
More details from CBJ plans for the Gaudreau brothers
Players will wear a patch with Johnny Gaudreau’s No. 13 on their jerseys throughout the season. The game against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 15 will focus on honoring the Gaudreau brothers, with fans receiving a "13" patch. Traditional Opening Night activities will be held on Oct. 17 before the game against the Buffalo Sabres.
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