Columbus Blue Jackets and the NHLPA come together to support players after the passing of Johnny Gaudreau

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Tyler Ball
September 1, 2024 (6:19 PM)

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This afternoon news has come out that the Columbus Blue Jackets and NHLPA are coming together to help support players struggling after the passing of the Gaudreau brothers.

This weekend has been one filled with nightmares for the hockey community and the NHL. Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau both prominent figures within professional hockey were killed in an accident involving an allegedly intoxicated driver named Sean Higgins.

In the days since the incident, the hockey community has come together to support the Gaudreau family and mourn the loss of such icons. In that process grief and sadness have been shared publicly by many NHL stars, staff, and media who had relationships with Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

Today the Columbus Blue Jackets and the NHLPA announced a partnership to help players, staff, and others to get through such a difficult loss. There will be counseling and mental health services for any Columbus Blue Jackets organization staff member who wants to seek such services.

This is an important an necessary step put together by the Columbus Blue Jackets and the NHLPA. Hopefully, these services extend to other organizations as well. The impact and light brought to the world by Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau was seen around the entire NHL and all players should have an outlet to grieve and process this tragic moment.

As the NHL is set to begin in a few weeks the memory of both Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau will continue to live on in arenas around the world. If you would like to support the Gaudreau family there is a GoFundMe to support Matthew Gaudreau's wife Madeline and their soon-to-be-born son Tripp.

Gaudreau Family GoFundMe

As more information becomes available regarding the case against Sean Higgins or further tributes to the Gaudreau family we will continue to update the situation.