It’s been just over a month since former Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed in a tragic accident in a situation that should have never happened. With the 2024 NHL season now here, Team USA hockey has decided to honor the two brothers in a beautiful way.
According to a Team USA hockey press release, NHL players who are part of the U.S. National Team will wear a special “Gaudreau” helmet decal with both of the brothers’ jersey numbers and dueling hockey sticks this season.
Here is USA Hockey’s executive director Pat Kelleher on the move:
“Johnny and Matthew [Gaudreau], along with their families, will forever be a part of the USA Hockey family. This is a small way to not only honor their memory, but help keep their wonderful spirit for our great game and life in general in the forefront.”
Not only that, the NHL will also have their own decal honoring the Gaudreau brothers through October 24.
Every team will be wearing this decal honoring the Gaudreau brothers on the back of their helmets from opening night through 10/24. The Sabres and Devils are the first. The Sabres got them today. pic.twitter.com/MTKdVo7NYw
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) September 30, 2024
Kudos to everyone involved in this wonderful tribute.