COLUMBUS, Ohio — Fans gathered Tuesday night to cheer on the Columbus Blue Jackets during its home opener.  

What You Need To Know

  • Tuesday, Oct. 15, was the home opener for the Columbus Blue Jackets

  • The team hosted a ceremony honoring the late Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew who were killed riding their bikes in August

  • The team also wear the number 13 patch on their jerseys and placed a number 13 on the ice to commemorate Gaudreau

But it felt different from a regular Blue Jackets home opener because this time they were honoring the late Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew.

“I think it’s going to be more of almost like a memorial. And I know that sounds kind of unfortunate, but it’s just I think he touched so many people in so many different ways that people just want to come here,” said Blue Jackets fan, Brandon Landuyt. 

There was a sea of Gaudreau jerseys lining up to get inside of Nationwide arena with Blue Jackets fans excited for this season. 

“Excited to have the new season get started. Obviously, there’s a great cloud over what happened this summer with the Johnny Gaudreau tragic passing, but excited to see the team move forward and kind of play in his honor moving forward,” said Blue Jackets fan, Jordan Glick. 

Jordan Glick and his brother Cameron have been Blue Jackets fans their whole lives and are season ticket holders. They feel that this tragic loss will motivate the team to play for something bigger than themselves. 

“It’s different. It’s a different motivation for a team than we’ve ever had before. We’re usually just a team that’s gritty and things like that, and now we’re playing for something different, playing for Johnny and his family,” said Blue Jackets fan, Cameron Glick.

The Blue Jackets held a ceremony honoring Johnny Gaudreau and his brother before puck drop. The team also placed the number 13, which was Gaudreau’s jersey number, on the ice and wear the number 13 patch on their jerseys.