Johnny Gaudreau and Brother Matthew Honored at Blue Jackets’ Home Opener

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were honored at the Columbus Blue Jackets’ home opener.

Before the team’s NHL game against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 15, teammates of the late Johnny Gaudreau gathered to pay tribute to him and his brother after they were killed by an alleged drunk driver in August.

Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, was in attendance, along with his 2-year-old daughter Noa and 7-month-old son Johnny, who both wore #13 jerseys. The three appeared on the ice as a banner was raised with the number of the late athlete. Meredith Gaudreau wiped away tears as little Noa appeared to wave the flag.

A video tribute to Johnny Gaudreau’s beginnings and hockey career was shown, with the late star talking about his love for the game. The video also highlighted her marriage and family.

In a pre-recorded video, Meredith Gaudreau, who is pregnant with her third child, said she didn’t “want anyone to be sad. I want you all to be inspired by the life John lived.”

“That means loving your family first, and when it’s time to put down the puck, let’s love the game that John loved,” she said.

A slideshow filled with family photos was also shared, with songs like “Memory Lane” by Old Dominion, “Small Town Girl” by Dustin Lynch, and “Stargazing” by Justin Jeso and Kygo played. When the teams took to the ice, fans chanted, “Johnny hockey.”

Johnny Gaudreau’s family, including his mother and father, were also in attendance, as was Matthew Gaudreau’s widow, Madeline Gaudreau, who is expecting her and her late husband’s first child.

A PSA was also shared in a video before the game, saying, “If you’re going to drink tonight, don’t drink and drive.”

To continue the tributes, Blue Jackets players wore the “13” emblem on their shirts, which they will wear throughout the season. Everyone who attended the game also received patch “13”.

When the game started, the team “saved a spot for Johnny” by not including a left-back and taking 13 seconds off the clock for him.

At Nationwide Arena in Columbus, there is also a special tribute to the brothers that includes t-shirts and souvenirs. There were several fundraising opportunities throughout the evening for the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, including t-shirt auctions, raffles and lapel pin sales.

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were riding their bikes when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver that resulted in their deaths, according to police. The brothers were in their hometown and were going to their sister’s wedding.

Madeline Gaudreau recently held her baby shower and paid tribute to her late husband with the decor. A poster shared on her Instagram read “Welcome to our baby shower, Matty and Madeline.”

Madeline Gaudreau, who is expecting a boy, wrote in her post: “my husband would have loved all the balloons.”

“The way you managed to tie my husband up brought instant tears when I walked in,” she wrote. “All my friends and family, nothing will bring your dad or Uncle John back, but I’m glad he has so many amazing people around him to remind him how amazing they were.”

Last month, the Blue Jackets and their families also celebrated the second birthday of Johnny and Meredith’s daughter, Noa, by gathering and setting up a giant sign on the lawn that read, “Happy second birthday, Noa!”

This article originally appeared on TODAY.com