Article content

A recently released annual prediction story referencing the late Johnny Gaudreau prompted much of the hockey world to criticize American sportswriter Frank Seravalli for his poor choice of words.

In the first version of his annual predictions ahead of the NHL season, the hockey insider wrote: “With a little help from Gaudreau, the Columbus Blue Jackets will win the 2025 draft lottery.”

Article content

“It is the only consolation prize for a brutal year, but hope and help is on the way. Bananas that the Blue Jackets have never won the lottery.”

At her sister’s wedding in New Jersey.

Many felt that Seravalli, a regular writer for Sportsnet and president of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, suggested that Gaudreau’s absence from the team resulted in a weak season and therefore a better position for the lottery in determining the draft order in the low season would lead.

Article content

Article content

Seravalli quickly edited the post and changed it to “With a little help from above, the Columbus Blue Jackets will win the 2025 draft lottery.”

That, too, was met with ire and prompted a rewrite that began with “With a little help from Gaudreau in heaven” before continuing.

Article content

The currently published version begins with “The Columbus Blue Jackets will win the 2025 Draft Lottery” and continues like the original.

Late Monday afternoon, Seravalli apologized on social media, saying he meant to imply that Gaudreau was “looking down from heaven” to “good luck” on his teammates.

“What I wrote and how my poor choice of words was received should not cause hurt or anger.

“This tragedy is a difficult issue that we all grapple with, and what I wrote was never intended to contribute to it. Simply put: I shouldn’t have connected the two. I’m sorry and I promise it will get better.”

Article content

Meanwhile, an editor’s note above the article said the article had been “amended to remove a comment about the late Johnny Gaudreau looking down on the team from heaven.”

“The intent was to honor Gaudreau, not offend. The wording was poorly chosen. Daily Faceoff regrets the error and apologizes to anyone who was hurt by the comment.”

Article content

The controversial wording wasn’t the only time Gaudreau was mentioned in the 32 predictions.

On the bright side, immediately before the Blue Jackets draft reference section, Seravalli wrote that the Lady Byng Trophy – an NHL season-ending award for the gentleman player – should be renamed for the Gaudreau brothers.

“Lady Byng had a great 100-year career. John won the Byng in 2017 and was a true gentleman of the game.”

Article content