COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An emotional video tribute to Johnny Gaudreau and 13 seconds of silence -- for his uniform number -- opened the Columbus Blue Jackets' first game at Nationwide Arena since the star player's death nearly a month ago.
The tributes came before the Blue Jackets' 3-0 preseason victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.
Gaudreau and brother Matthew were killed Aug. 29 near their boyhood home in New Jersey when police said they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while they were riding bicycles on the eve of their sister Katie's wedding. The driver who police say struck them is charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
The tributes came before the Blue Jackets' 3-0 preseason victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.
Gaudreau and brother Matthew were killed Aug. 29 near their boyhood home in New Jersey when police said they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while they were riding bicycles on the eve of their sister Katie's wedding. The driver who police say struck them is charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
