How the Columbus Blue Jackets continue to keep Johnny Gaudreau's spirit alive

Johnny Gaudreaus death on Aug.

29, 2024, took the Blue Jackets top scoring forward and a beloved friend away.

They were forced to deal with the gravity of his loss in the same car/bike crash that took his brother Matthew's life and was caused by an alleged drunk driver.Theres no manual for that situation, said center Sean Monahan, who signed with the Blue Jackets to reunite with Gaudreau.

Hes going to be missed for the rest of my life and by all the guys on the team, but I still think about it every day.

The Blue Jackets never let Gaudreaus memory fade, keeping his spirit alive by incorporating memories and reminders of him throughout a season that nearly led to a playoff berth.

Thats not changing for the upcoming season.

The whole idea is that Johnny is a presence for us, Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said.

Hes going to be with us if hes not here physically, so hes going to help us and hes going to teach.Here are some ways they kept Gaudreaus spirit with them:Johnny Gaudreau taught Blue Jackets through videoEvason and his coaching staff had a moment while putting together videos when they debated whether to keep the ones with Gaudreau or cut them.

They opted to keep him in there regardless of the clips intention.

Keeping him in our video was one of my favorite things we did, center Adam Fantilli said.

Wed see him on video all the time, and it would be a quick reminder of something that sucks, but also how amazing he was at the game.

It was really cool to see.The Johnny SkateAfter most practices, the Blue Jackets line up in a corner at one end of the ice.

Down at the other end is an empty net that a chosen shooter tries to hit from about 200 feet out.

A goal gives the Blue Jackets one lap around the rink.

A miss nets three.

It's an homage to Gaudreau's jersey No.

13.Ive always done that type of thing, where you shoot it and you get either one or two laps, or one and four, Evason said.

As we chatted as a staff, we said, Why dont we make it the Johnny Skate, one or three? I think (Monahan) shot the first time.

Guy Gaudreau, Johnny and Matthews father, also fired a shot after a practice he attended as a special on-ice guest.

Prior to shooting, he announced that he would purposely miss his shot to give their legs a workout.

Once a coach, always a coach.A new tradition in honor of 13 Only fitting that Monny wears the donkey for our first dub pic.twitter.com/M9brYCATdt Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 13, 2024Columbus Blue Jackets introduce Gaudreau donkey hat awardBefore Gaudreaus death, captain Boone Jenner had already planned to switch the Blue Jackets postgame award after wins from a Civil War-era kepi hat to something else.

After Gaudreau's passing, Jenner was speaking with Dustin Dusty Halstead, an equipment manager and Halstead joked that he should put a donkey on a piece of Erik Gudbransons equipment, since Gaudreau often called the hulking defenseman a donkey.

I was just like, Boom, there it is.

Donkey hat for player of the game, Jenner said.

He went home, ordered a handful of styles and picked one out.Monahan wore it first, barely able to get it pulled over a mane of hair after helping the Blue Jackets stun the Colorado Avalanche to split a two-game road trip that opened the season.

Hed call me a donkey every day, Monahan said.

It was a bit of a group decision, and it was pretty special.

I remember the first time I got that hat in Colorado.

Its still a moment I think about quite a bit.

Its honoring him, but Im sure he was laughing at me when I put it on.Blue Jackets adopt Johnny Gaudreau's wardrobeWhen it came to fashion, Gaudreau was low maintenance.

The guy loved hoodie sweatshirts, sweatpants, ballcaps and Uggs often wearing all in one outfit.

Incorporating those items into the look the Blue Jackets wore to their NHL Stadium Series matchup against the Detroit Red Wings was a unanimous decision.

Meredith made sure they were authentic, too, ordering powder blue hoodies from Avalon Surf Shop in Avalon, New Jersey..oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}They wore black sweatpants, Uggs and black designer ballcaps to complete a look that Gaudreau wore countless times.

It sent chills down their spines to see each other dressed like him, while Monahans wife, Brittany, couldnt hide her reaction.I got dressed at home, Monahan said.

I walked out of the room and my wife broke out laughing because it was spot on.

That wasnt the only time the Blue Jackets wore those outfits.

Following their outdoor victory, players randomly wore the ballcaps, sweatpants and/or hoodies around Nationwide Arena.

I was just hanging out with (Jake) Christiansen recently and he was wearing the hat, and I saw Silly (Cole Sillinger) wearing it a couple weeks ago.

I still wear it, too, in the summer.

Its cool to have those clothes, and you think of him every time you put it on.Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at [email protected] and @BrianHedger.bsky.socialComing SundaySpecial section: How Gaudreau's passing has shaped the Blue JacketsThis article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How the Columbus Blue Jackets keep Johnny Gaudreau's spirit alive.

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