The Columbus Blue Jackets paid him an emotional tribute Johnny And Matthew Gaudreau in the team’s first regular-season home game since the brothers’ deaths.

The tribute began with a video montage of Johnny’s career and life. The clip included interview excerpts in which Johnny talked about what hockey meant to him.

“When I was growing up, I was on the ice with my dad, and I think I was two or three days old,” Johnny said of how he got into skating. “He got me in skates as soon as he could, and he got my younger brother in skates as soon as he could, too. We’ve been kind of a hockey family ever since.”

The video featured highlights of Johnny during his career with the Calgary Flames and Blue Jackets. Johnny gushed about how he liked the “tight-knit” nature of the team and how grateful he was to join the organization as a free agent.

Related: Meredith Gaudreau calls vigils for her late husband Johnny and his brother ‘special’

Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images Meredith Gaudreau is feeling the support of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames as she mourns the deaths of her late husband Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. “I like to think it’s very special that these two cities are doing this for John on our wedding day,” she wrote of her (…)

“Change is sometimes hard, but when you have familiar faces it makes it a lot easier,” he said. “You want to surround yourself with people who will make you better, not just on the ice but off the ice, and that’s what I’ve tried to do my whole life.”

In the final moments of the video, Johnny shared that his legacy should not only be about his professional milestones, but also his family.

“As an adult, when you look back on your childhood, you realize that this is exactly what I was meant to do,” he reflected. “I think when it’s all done, I want to be remembered as someone who just wanted to be at the rink and be with his friends and family. I could go on, but I guess I’m a hockey player.”

After the video, Johnny’s parents and sister hit the ice with the Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers. Johnny’s wife, Meredith Gaudreaualso joined the team with her and Johnny’s two children: Daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny, 7 months. teammate and close friend, Sean Monahanstood next to Meredith, holding Johnny Jr. The Blue Jackets also hung a pennant with Johnny’s name and number in the arena. After the emotional moment, fans chanted “Johnny Hockey” in honor of the late player.

Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were killed by a suspected drunk driver while bicycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on August 29.

Sean M Higginsthe man charged with two counts of vehicular homicide remains in jail. If convicted, he faces 20 years in prison.

Johnny signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets in July 2022 after spending the first nine years of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames.

During her emotional eulogy at Johnny’s memorial service in September, Meredith spoke at length about the couple’s love for the city of Columbus.

“You’ve become home and our family so quickly,” Meredith said. “The memories we made as a growing family in Columbus are the best years of my life.”

During her speech at the funeral, Meredith revealed that she was pregnant with the couple’s third child.

“To Columbus and our Blue Jackets family: I cannot describe how devastated I am that I will no longer be able to spend more time with John in your wonderful city,” Meredith continued. “Most underrated city. I’m so glad we explored the hidden gem of Columbus, Ohio together.”

Related: Columbus Blue Jackets share emotional tribute to Johnny Gaudreau before game

The Columbus Blue Jackets’ first home game of the 2024-25 season was an emotional game as the organization honored left wing Johnny Gaudreau, who died in an accident during the offseason. The team shared a video tribute to their late teammate on the Nationwide Arena scoreboard before the game as fans and players (…) watched.

Since Johnny’s death, his former Blue Jackets teammates and coaches have stepped up to support his family in a big way. Earlier this month, dozens of his friends and their partners showed up for daughter Noa’s birthday. Before Tuesday’s game against the Florida Panthers, Johnny and Matthew’s father Guy Gaudreau skated on the ice with the team.

Matthew, who coached minor league hockey with his brother at Boston College after a playing career, is survived by his wife Madeline Gaudreau. Shortly after Matthew’s death, Madeline announced that she was pregnant with the couple’s first baby.

“Matt will be around his son for the rest of his life,” Madeline said during her eulogy about her son, who will be named Tripp.

She added, “I’m so grateful that God gave us a child, little Matty, to walk around for a lifetime and carry on his legacy.” Tripp will know how much his father loved him, and I promise “Doing all the things we talked about with him.”