Blue Jackets cope with ‘new reality’ after Gaudreau’s tragic death

COLUMBUS – What would Johnny want from us?

That's the question the Columbus Blue Jackets have been asking themselves since forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew died on August 29.

They talked about it when they began training camp on Wednesday, and it will serve as a guide as they balance their grief over Johnny with the season opener.

“The guys know Johnny wants us to play hockey,” said general manager Don Waddell.

It was not without reason that he was known as “Johnny Hockey”.

“How did John come to the rink?” asked defenseman Zach Werenski. “It was full of joy and excitement, and we try to take his lifestyle and his approach to the game and implement it as a group in our locker room today.”

It has been hard and will continue to be hard.

The Gaudreau brothers died when they were struck by a car while riding their bicycles in Salem County, New Jersey. They were home to serve as best men at their sister Katie's wedding the next day.

Johnny had two young children and another on the way with his wife Meredith. Matthew was expecting his first child with his wife Madeline. Johnny was 31, Matthew 29.

“What happened with John and Matt is not something that just disappears or that we magically stop thinking about,” said Captain Boone Jenner. “It will stay with us and we recognize this new reality for us as a group, as a team.”

“It's not like we're trying to turn it off and then say, 'OK, now the season is here.' Those emotions are going to be there for a very, very long time.”

The Blue Jackets attended the funeral in Media, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 9. Coach Dean Evason said the captains were sitting together after the wake the night before the funeral and he asked them, “So what would Johnny want from us?” They said he probably would have wanted them to watch football and have a few drinks.”

Evason said the coaching staff will impress upon the players the need to “tell stories, remember and laugh.”

Werenski said most of them played golf together one day, just to be together. They shared pictures, videos and fond memories of Johnny.

“One of the questions we asked ourselves was, 'What would John want us to do in certain situations?'” Werenski said. “He would want us to enjoy coming to the rink, being with our teammates and being together.”

Johnny will remain true to the Blue Jackets in spirit this season.

His picture will continue to hang above the main entrance to Nationwide Arena, and the temporary memorial that once stood beneath it will be displayed in the concourse.

His jersey stays in the locker room. His jersey with the number 13 hangs in his locker at home and accompanies the team on trips.

A coach asked if the coaches should remove Johnny from the first video clips they show the team. The answer?

“Absolutely not,” Evason said. “Johnny is going to teach us something — for better or for worse. If he hasn't checked back, we're going to show it. He's going to be with us. He's going to be a presence in our dressing room at home and on the road.”