[Editor’s Note: The Red Wings and Blue Jackets played in this year’s sole Stadium Series game on Saturday evening. Our own Anthony Emerson looks at a heartfelt special gesture by the Wings before the game. Enjoy! — PH]
Saturday’s Stadium Series game at Ohio Stadium between the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets looked great, with both teams in rather snazzy new alternates to mark the occasion. But the Red Wings stole the show before the game, with all Wings players arriving wearing Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau jerseys. Johnny, a Blue Jackets player, and brother Matthew were killed while cycling by an alleged drunk driver back in August. Johnny was 31, Matthew was 29.
The Wings players wore jerseys from various points in the Gaudreaus’ careers, including Boston College, where both brothers played, and the Dubuque Fighting Saints, where Johnny played juniors. Many wore Team USA jerseys.
For the Gaudreaus. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nME1VoA9He
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 1, 2025
The Blue Jackets also acknowledge the Red Wings’ gesture on the platform formerly known as Twitter.
The gesture was not unnoticed by the hosting Jackets. Blue Jackets forward Adam Frantilli told NHL.com that “It means a lot. This whole event is something where we’re thinking about John a lot. He would have loved to have been here.”
When the Blue Jackets unveiled their Stadium Series unis back in January, the jersey did not have the Johnny Gaudreau memorial patch, but the team added it for the actual game.
This is the only NHL Stadium Series game this season — the next one will be held on February 1, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins.
The Blue Jackets would win this game, 5-3. More photos are below.
I noticed it the second I turned on the pregame. Awesome stuff.
not exactly jersey related but the Jackets honored Johnny Gaudreau when they arrived by dressing like Johnny would link
I came here to say this. Lots of care went into duplicating this look exactly.
Great stuff. I totally buy into the brotherhood and sisterhood theme of sports in general and team sports in particular. You may battle each other but at the end of the day we are one big family of players, fans and staff.
I missed that beautiful parade of honor given by the Red Wings, so thank you for posting the video, and great story, Anthony.
My hockey fandom picked up on Johnny when he was with the Flames, and his and Matthew’s deaths were very crushing. Every salute to the Gaudreau family, especially those done on Saturday and Team USA’s honors during the 4 Nations Face-Off, has been wonderful.
I’d love to see the NHL do something to promote road safety. But, y’know, alcohol sales are probably more important to them.