COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sharpening his skates, hockey player and Perani’s Hockey World sales associate Avery Langworthy is a huge Johnny Gaudreau fan. 

What You Need To Know

  • Avery Langworthy is a hockey player and hockey store sales associate at Perani's Hockey World 

  • Langworthy is a huge fan of the late Johnny Gaudreau and plans to attend the Blue Jackets home opener to commemorate Gaudreau's life

  • Langworthy is attending the home opener with a heavy heart because he knows how it feels to lose a teammate

“It’s all the things that make up Johnny Gaudreau that we all know and earned his nickname, Johnny Hockey,” said Avery Langworthy. 

Langworthy has been playing hockey for 17 years. He played for Dublin Scioto High School, the Columbus Youth Hockey Association with the Blue Jackets and currently plays for the chiller adult hockey league. 

“And it’s late-night games. You go, you go out, you play some good ‘ol hockey with some older guys and you just all enjoy the game that Gaudreau played himself,” said Langworthy.

Langworthy plans to attend the home opening game Tuesday night with his family and is looking forward to experiencing this season. 

“Yes, it’s tough, but I just want to see good, fun, positive hockey and us having a good time as a fan base and supporting the players who have lost a best friend and to the drill family who have lost a husband, a brother and a father,” said Langworthy.   

But he knows it’s going to be an emotional night as well because he knows how it feels to lose a teammate. 

“I personally have a loss with one of my best friends who played hockey. Forward Thomas Knox, the Westville rink that is dedicated to him and his name. It’s tough. It’s very bad. Admitting that they are no longer part of your life as you’re watching him on the ice. Watching his great skill and play. But at the same time, you commemorate him,” said Langworthy. 

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