Gut-wrenching press conference by Johnny Gaudreau’s teammates leaves everyone in tears

“While there is a huge hole in our lineup, there’s a bigger hole in our hearts.” That’s what’s Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said in the team’s press conference on Wednesday when speaking about the passing of Johnny Gaudreau, and his younger brother Matthew who passed away in a terrible incident last week. It occurred on Thursday evening when Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee north on County Route 551 and attempted to overtake another vehicle. He struck the Gaudreau brothers, both riding bicycles alongside one another on the shoulder side of the road. Johnny and Matthew were pronounced dead at the scene. Police reports say Higgins was intoxicated and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.

Waddell and players Boone Jenner, Erik Gudbranson, Sean Kuraly and Zach Werenski held a short press conference and made comments regarding the passing of their teammate Johnny and his brother Matthew. The players understandably did not take questions, but they bravely said what they needed to say.

Quotes have been written here below, but here is the entire press conference offered by the YouTube channel of the Blue Jackets. Warning: it is very emotional to watch.

Captain Jenner was the first to speak, and was clearly emotional when reading his statement.

“It’s difficult to find the right words. (Johnny and Matthew) shared an inseparable bond. It was easy to see very quickly how tight-knit their family was…one thing is that John never forgot where he came from.

“John was a close friend, and someone I felt I’d known for a lifetime. John was truly one of a kind.

“As a team, we’re going to get through this together. We’ll grieve, cry, and be vulnerable. But we’ll persevere – because that’s what John would’ve wanted. Their memory will stay with us forever.”

Gudbranson, also emotional, entertained with fun stories about Johnny and talked about his teammate’s values and love for his family, and how he will forever remain an inspiration to him. The veteran defenseman has bounced around the NHL over his 13-year career, and admitted he was glad to have found Johnny and developed the friendship they had.

“Your unique way of driving me crazy brought us only closer…You were one of a kind, and we loved you. We still do.”

“You were truly a family man. You’ll continue to inspire me to be just like you.”

He then begged anyone who is considering driving under the influence to find another way home.

Werenski also spoke about the bond he had with Johnny and how excited he was when he found out that Gaudreau had picked Columbus as his landing spot in free agency.

“I’ve been in Columbus for nine years, and I can’t say there was a day when I was as excited as when John signed here.

“Thank you, John, for choosing Columbus when others wouldn’t. You brought so much joy and excitement to this city. I’ve never quite seen anything like it. Something only truly special players could do. And that’s what you were.”

“I just want to say thank you, John, for letting me be a part of your life.”

Kuraly reiterated how Johnny was adored by everyone for his personality and joie de vivre, and how gutted the team is. In a short statement, he also wished for Johnny and his brother Matthew to rest peacefully.

“Good to the core, John leaves us a life’s example of love, simplicity and joy. He expressed that for the masses through hockey, and personally, through his relationships.”

In the first part of the press conference, Waddell also explained how the entire Blue Jackets team will attend the Gaudreau brothers’ funeral, though as of this moment, plans for a memorial are being finalized by the Gaudreau family.

“I ask everyone to keep this close-knit, loving family in your thoughts and prayers,” Waddell said. “They also left behind friends, teammates, coaches all over the world, and fans that continue to mourn their passing.”

The team is also holding a public vigil Wednesday evening.

Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith, and their two children, Noa and young baby Johnny. My heart goes out to them, and also to Matthew’s wife Madeline, whom he wed in July 2021. Madeline is expecting the couple’s first baby in December.