Featured Columnist IVSeptember 30, 2024
Zak Krill/NHLI through Getty Pictures
All 32 NHL groups will wear a helmet decal to honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau to open the 2024-25 season.
The decal design consists of the letter “G” together with the Gaudreaus’ jersey numbers.
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Each NHL staff will put on this helmet decal by way of October 24 to honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau ❤️
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The Gaudreau brothers were killed in August once they had been struck by a driver whereas bicycling in New Jersey.
The driving force, Sean M. Higgins, has been charged with two counts of demise by auto and faces expenses of reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motorcar. Prosecutors allege he had a blood-alcohol degree of .087, above the authorized restrict (.08) within the state.
Johnny Gaudreau, an 11-year veteran within the NHL, was approaching his third season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had been with the Calgary Flames for 9 years earlier than signing with Columbus.
Like his older brother, Matthew Gaudreau competed collegiately at Boston Faculty. After enjoying professionally, he ultimately returned to his highschool alma mater, Gloucester Catholic, as its hockey coach.
Throughout their funeral, Matthew’s spouse, Madeline, highlighted in her eulogy how shut the brothers had been.
“The bond that Matt and John shared is one thing that, except you knew them personally, even probably the most good phrases, footage, or movies can’t adequately describe it,” she said. “They had been connected on the hip. They slept in the identical room up till school, and neither of them ever needed that to alter. … To know each of them was to really love them. It was unattainable to not fall in love with them. Meredith stated it greatest: You don’t hear one identify with out the opposite. They had been so extraordinarily pleased with one another.”
The NHL season will get underway Oct. 8. The tribute to the Gaudreaus will stay on each helmet by way of Oct. 24, which is when the ultimate staff has its dwelling opener. The Blue Jackets previously unveiled an identical decal they plan to put on on their helmets for all the 12 months.
