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Blue Jackets honor Johnny Gaudreau with No. 13 warmup jerseys during Columbus home opener

mary clarke
·1 min read
COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 15: Columbus Blue Jackets players warm up before the game against the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Players from both teams are wearing #13 in warm up jerseys in remembrance of Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau, who along with his brother, was killed by a driver while biking in Salem County, New Jersey in August. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers made a heartwarming tribute to Johnny Gaudreau on Tuesday.

The 2024-25 NHL season has officially started in Columbus, with Tuesday being the Blue Jackets' home opener in front of their fans. And, as expected, the tributes for Gaudreau and his brother Matthew -- who were killed in a tragic accident that shouldn't have happened in August -- poured in throughout the evening.

MORE: What is the helmet decal NHL players are wearing to honor Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau?

Perhaps the most touching moment of all came before Tuesday's game started, as both the Blue Jackets and Panthers stepped out onto the ice for pregame warmups in No. 13 jerseys, a tribute to the number worn by Gaudreau throughout his career.

Here are the jerseys in action as the teams skated for warmups.

What an incredibly moving tribute to a hockey player and person lost all too soon.

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This article originally appeared on For The Win: Blue Jackets honor Johnny Gaudreau with No. 13 warmup jerseys during Columbus home opener