The Red Wings headed into Ohio Stadium in Johnny Gaudreau’s amateur hockey jerseys, and ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski discussed the team’s decision with Moritz Seider:
“Johnny Hockey,” as he was known in the NHL, played for the Calgary Flames for eight seasons before joining the Blue Jackets as a free agent in 2022. He was one of the best American-born scorers of his generation, with 743 points in 763 career games. Matthew Gaudreau, like his brother, played for Boston College before embarking on a four-season pro hockey career.
The Red Wings arrived on their team bus wearing jerseys that Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau had worn during their playing careers from the Omaha Lancers and Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL, Boston College and USA Hockey.
“He not only meant a lot for the Columbus organization, for U.S. hockey and for hockey in general, but also for our locker room. I think there are plenty of guys who shared paths with him,” Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider said. “It’s a little thing we can give back and I think it was a right decision.”
Update: Here’s more from NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika:
The Detroit Red Wings honored Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau when they arrived at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, stepping off the bus wearing jerseys the Gaudreau brothers wore during their hockey careers.
For Johnny, they represented Dubuque of the United States Hockey League, Boston College and USA Hockey. For Matthew, they represented Omaha of the USHL and BC. Each had a Gaudreau nameplate and number on the back.
“I’m truly honored to wear the jersey,” said Detroit forward Lucas Raymond, who was wearing Matthew’s BC jersey. “It’s an honor to wear it and have the Gaudreau name on the back of your jersey.”
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Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider said Johnny meant a lot to the hockey community in general. Some Detroit players knew Gaudreau personally.
“I only played against him, but it even makes me emotional just thinking about that his mother was in our building with the moms and everything,” said Seider, who wore Johnny’s Dubuque jersey. “It’s a little thing we can give back, and I think it was the right decision.”
Columbus forward Adam Fantilli said the Blue Jackets appreciated the gesture.
“Yeah, it means a lot,” Fantilli said. “This whole event is something where we’re thinking about John a lot. He would have loved to have been here.”
