A new banner has been raised high at Nationwide Arena.

During a pregame ceremony to celebrate the life of Johnny Gaudreau, who tragically lost his life on August 29 alongside his brother Matthew, the Columbus Blue Jackets unveiled a white banner showcasing his No. 13. His family, including widow Meredith and young children Noa and Johnny, were present on the ice.

They stood beside Sean Monahan, a close friend of Gaudreau’s and a new Blue Jackets center, who joined the team partly to reconnect with Gaudreau. The two played together in Calgary for nearly ten years, and had plans to live near each other in Columbus. Monahan held one of the children while Meredith cradled the other, as tears flowed during the banner’s unveiling.

Before the ceremony, a heartfelt video showcasing Gaudreau’s life and career played on the screens above the rink. Following the ceremony, Meredith Gaudreau shared a recorded message with fans, affectionately known as The 5^th Line in Columbus, encouraging them to support the Blue Jackets instead of dwelling in sorrow.

“I don’t want anyone to be sad,” she expressed. “I wish for everyone to feel inspired by John’s life. The key is to cherish your family above all else, and when game time comes, let’s honor the sport that John cherished deeply.”

A larger gathering of Gaudreau’s family, including his parents Guy and Jane, as well as members of Meredith’s family, watched from a private box, which was displayed before the banner was unveiled. Players from both teams donned No. 13 jerseys for warmups, lining a blue carpet for Meredith and the Gaudreau children to walk down.

As they returned to the bench, the family received hugs from players on both sides, accompanied by the sound of sticks tapping the ice in tribute. The Blue Jackets players honored Gaudreau further by starting the opening faceoff without a left winger, the position he played on the first line.

The puck from the initial faceoff was collected and stored safely on the Jackets’ bench until the formal game began with a second faceoff between complete teams. A few times, fans erupted into “Johnny Hockey!” chants, but the arena was permeated with a somber mood as the game commenced, gradually lightening as the action unfolded.