Following the unfathomable incident that claimed the life of Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, tributes have poured in by the hundreds both from those who had the opportunity to know him and those who were given the chance to see him in action.
Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner posted a picture to Instagram of the two of them celebrating a goal, along with saying: "Take the hockey out of Johnny. You have one of the best friends, teammates, sons, brothers, husbands, and above all, fathers out there."
"It’s impossible to put into words how much we will miss you man."
Blake Coleman, who played with Gaudreau as a member of the Calgary Flames during the 2021-22 season, took to X to share a photo of Gaudreau and Coleman's young daughter, adding that he was "completely gutted,":
Completely gutted. The world just lost one of the best. RIP Johnny pic.twitter.com/cgjqEAcHJ4
— Blake Coleman (@BColes25) August 30, 2024
Matthew Tkachuk, another teammate of Gaudreau during his time in Calgary, posted a black-and-white photo of the two smiling:
Absolutely devastated. I will miss seeing that smile! RIP Hockey! love you bro pic.twitter.com/HbyV3vSDXk
— Matthew Tkachuk (@TKACHUKycheese_) August 30, 2024
Former NHL goaltender Eddie Lack, who briefly played with Gaudreau on the Flames during the 2017-18 season, said on X that "Johnny was one of (his) favorite teammates I’ve ever played with. Always happy, always spreading positivity around him."
Former Blue Jacket RJ Umberger shared his condolences as well, sharing that he woke up a "terrible tragedy" Friday morning. Umberger added: "Please join in sending prayers to the Gaudreau family and friends, the Blue Jackets players and staff, and everyone impacted by this traffic loss."
Another former Blue Jacket was the man who wore the #13 before Gaudreau — Cam Atkison:
There will only be one Johnny Hockey. Even though you were younger, youre someone who I looked up to in every way. My thoughts and prayers are with Johnny and Matthews family and friends. pic.twitter.com/EeTYdLPrvS
— Cam Atkinson (@CamAtkinson89) August 30, 2024
ESPN's John Buccigross shared several videos throughout the day, including one that he referred to as "the definitive Johnny Gaudreau forever young hockey moment." The clip features an 18-year-old Gaudreau scoring a goal in the 2012 NCAA Championship game to seal the title for Boston College.
The definitive Johnny Gaudreau forever young hockey moment. 12 years ago. He's 18 years old. Ices the 2012 NCAA Championship game. Comically quick feet, hands, and brain. His comp for me was always Allen Iverson--I covered both in college. Impossibly small and skinny (JG MIGHT be pic.twitter.com/dMe7WY2gtZ
— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) August 30, 2024
Another prominent hockey personality, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic, shared his thoughts on X early Friday morning: "My heart goes out to the Gaudreau family and what they're going through. Unimaginable. Thinking of every player and member of the organization and wishing the Blue Jackets strength as they find a way through this horrific event. The entire sport is mourning. Brutal all-around."
Another TSN personality, Gord Miller, recounted the first time that he and fellow broadcaster and NHL great Ray Ferraro laid eyes on Gaudreau:
Like so many people, I underestimated Johnny at first. @rayferraro21 and I met him at the 2013 WJC as he was stretching outside the USA dressing room, we both thought Thats the guy whos ripping up college hockey? But in talking with him, you could see the passion and drive. https://t.co/XDmJvxrNQZ
— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) August 30, 2024
In a later post, Miller encouraged action by writing that "if you want to honor the Gaudreau brothers, pledge to never drink and drive."
Ferraro also posted regarding Gaudreau's passing, writing that "no words can be enough to express our sympathy to the Gaudreau family."
Closer to home, new Blue Jackets play-by-play announcer Steve Mears referred to Gaudreau as unique and special, calling his style of play inspirational:
Johnny was so unique and special. The way he played was inspirational. Watched him dominate the World Juniors and then take those talents to the NHL. Condolences to the Gaudreau family. Two wonderful people gone way too soon. RIP Johnny and Matthew.
— Steve Mears (@MearsyNHL) August 30, 2024
Additionally, former play-by-play announcer Jeff Rimer posted on his struggles with coming to grips with the losses, writing: "I have tried to make sense all day about the senseless deaths of the Gaudreau brothers by a drunk driver. This is devastating to a wonderful family. My heart goes out to Johnny and Mathew's parents, their wives and other family members."
Tributes from those who coached Gaudreau were shared on social media as well. John Hynes, who is the current head coach for the Minnesota Wild, told The Athletic's Michael Russo that he was "sick to his stomach."
"I had the opportunity to coach Johnny several times with USA Hockey. Johnny was a great kid, personable, had a big heart, teammates loved him," Hynes told Russo.
In a moment sure to be emotional, Hynes will be behind the bench for the Wild when the Blue Jackets open their season October 10th. He took over for current Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason, who was fired by the Wild early in the 2023-24 season.
Former Blue Jacket head coach Pascal Vincent released a heartfelt statement, saying that the passing of the Gaudreau brothers left him speechless and in shock:
Statement from Pascal Vincent on the passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau pic.twitter.com/kXoMUCYdPv
— Canadiens Montral (@CanadiensMTL) August 30, 2024
Another former member of the Blue Jackets organization — general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, who signed Gaudreau to a seven-year contract in 2022, posted on X as well:
I am deeply saddened by the news I received late last night. R.I.P. Johnny and Matthew, fine young men with beautiful family that seemed so closegone way too soon. My condolences to the Gaudreau family and strength in their sorrow. This is devastating.
— Jarmo Kekalainen (@jkekalainen) August 30, 2024
Tributes and condolences poured in from around the sports world outside of hockey, as well. NBA superstar LeBron James responded to a tweet reporting the tragedy, saying that his thoughts and prayers went out to the Gaudreau family:
Insane man! . I instantly got so downand sad after reading the story. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the Gaudreau family! May Johnny and Matthew fly high, guide/guard and bless their family/s from the heavens above.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 30, 2024
Baseball superstar Mike Trout, who — like the Gaudreau's — is also a native of New Jersey, posted to X that he was "devastated by the loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Sending my deepest condolences and love to their family."
Another athlete with ties to the area is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who posted late Friday afternoon using the hashtag #FlyJohnnyFly, a touching spin on the Eagles social media slogan of #FlyEaglesFly:
Im deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau. Johnny was a dedicated hockey player, Birds fan & cherished member of the Eagles faithful. I want to send my heartfelt condolences to the entire Gaudreau family & those impacted by this loss!#FlyJohnnyFly
— Jalen Hurts (@JalenHurts) August 30, 2024
Ohio governor Mike DeWine and Ohio first lady Fran DeWine shared their condolences on X, as well, extending their thoughts to the entire Blue Jackets organization:
Fran & I offer our deepest condolences to the family of @BlueJacketsNHL's Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Our thoughts are also with the entire Blue Jackets organization as they mourn the loss of one of their own.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) August 30, 2024
Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie referred to Johnny Hockey as a "New Jersey legend" in his heartfelt post.
Johnny Gaudreau was 31, and Matthew Gaudreau was 29. Our thoughts, prayers, and energy are with the Gaudreau family and all of those affected by this senseless, preventable tragedy.
