COLUMBUS, Ohio—Just three weeks before the opening of training camp, the Columbus Blue Jackets are trying to make sense of a senseless tragedy after All-Star winger Johnny Gaudreau and younger brother Matthew died when they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey.
Don Waddell, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, and four of Johnny Gaudreau’s teammates spoke to reporters Wednesday at Nationwide Arena to share their feelings about the 31-year-old before a nighttime candlelight vigil that will include 13 minutes, 21 seconds of silent remembrance in honor of Johnny and Matthew’s jersey numbers.
