After Johnny Gaudreau's tragic death, the Blue Jackets' general manager focuses on hockey

Hearing the familiar sound of sticks clattering and pucks bouncing against the boards and glass while watching the Columbus Blue Jackets' junior players from the stands of a cold ice rink on a warm late summer afternoon was not enough for Don Waddell on Saturday to wash away the last remnants of his grief.

The Blue Jackets general manager acknowledged that this will take more time than anyone could imagine – weeks, months, perhaps an entire season and more.

Crucially, the weekend at the Sabres Prospects Challenge represented a first step for Waddell in refocusing on hockey and the future after Columbus star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes on August 29.

“We have to play hockey,” Waddell said.

“We will not forget Johnny and his family, the Gaudreau family.”

He then addressed the speech Johnny Gaudreau's wife, Meredith, gave during the brothers' funeral on Monday, in which she urged mourners to carry on as she had and focus on raising their children.

“Everyone knows Johnny wants them to play hockey,” Waddell said. “And everyone is for it.”

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Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces her third pregnancy during emotional eulogy: “A blessing”

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The resumption of hockey in Columbus began last week when most of the Blue Jackets' players returned to their facility to be together and support one another at the urging of Waddell and team captain Boone Jenner. And it will continue Thursday when the team opens training camp, exactly three weeks after the Gaudreaus were killed.

“Tragic. Senseless. But now we have to focus on preparing our team for this year's hockey game,” Waddell said.

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“We are all grieving and healing in different ways, but I think that being together as a team will be critical to moving forward.”

1:37
Calgary Flames hold emotional candlelight vigil for Gaudreau brothers in Calgary

Tragedy is nothing unusual for Waddell and the Blue Jackets.

Waddell was general manager of the then Atlanta Flames in 2003 when Dany Heatley lost control of his car and crashed into a wall. The accident killed his passenger and teammate Dan Snyder. In 2021, Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks died in a fireworks accident on July 4th.

Waddell emphasized that he and coach Dean Evason – both new to Columbus this season – will lead the team through this emotional season.

“Do I now believe there will be dark days? I wouldn't be surprised,” Waddell said.

Memories of the Gaudreau's deaths are still strong, and that was reflected Friday night in Buffalo. Before the opening faceoff of a game between the Blue Jackets and Sabres, a moment of silence was observed in memory of the brothers.

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Calgary Flames fans mourn Johnny Gaudreau

Columbus candidate Gavin Brindley then recalled the time he spent with Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus and his time as teammates representing the United States at the World Ice Hockey Championships in the Czech Republic in May.

“He was one of my biggest mentors at the world championships,” Brindley said. “I couldn't tell you how many times we hung out with Meredith, with pictures on my phone. It's just so hard to look back and see things like that.”

The NHL and NHL Players' Association are offering the Blue Jackets assistance in the form of grief counseling, spectator protection at vigils and addressing hockey issues such as a possible change to the league's salary cap to relieve Columbus of having to meet the NHL minimum wage because of the gap left by Gaudreau's contract.

“I don't think the Blue Jackets are focused on what happens next from an organizational perspective or from a hockey perspective, because I think everyone is still in shock,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told The Associated Press last week.

“I don't think anyone is focusing on anything other than grief right now, which is understandable.”

Much of the burden fell on Waddell, who held talks with the NHL and NHLPA, handled outreach programs with Blue Jackets partner OhioHealth, while also overseeing training camp preparations and assessing his prospects in Buffalo.

He also has to worry about his roster, which Waddell said has two vacancies at forward, one of which involves Justin Danforth, who may miss the start of the season with a wrist injury. Waddell didn't have to mention the second vacancy.

As exhausting and emotional as it was, Waddell found comfort in being in his element, an ice rink, and looking forward to the start of training camp.

“The boys are in really good shape. We've done a lot of testing and they can't wait to get going,” said Waddell. “We have a reason to play. And we're going to make the most of it.”

– with files from Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press

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Ice hockey fans mourn the death of former Calgary Flames star Johnny Gaudreau

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