Detroit Red Wings prepare for Stadium Series against Columbus Blue Jackets

According to most Michiganders, I was raised right. My whole family on my dad’s side (minus one cousin, then eventually a handful of cousins as they grew up) were Michigan Wolverine fans, just like Dylan Larkin. 

There really wasn’t a reason; nobody in my family went there (except for my cousin more recently—she’s wicked smart), so there wasn’t a true connection. It didn’t stop the endless jokes about The Ohio State Buckeyes. Even my dad emphasizes "the" in the title. 

 My mom was born in Ohio, and her dad graduated from The Ohio State University. My maternal grandpa and dad would give each other the business every football season, especially at the annual Christmas Party. 

Even though he’s no longer with us, I’m sure my grandpa is as excited as anyone knowing ice hockey is coming to the Shoe (although my dad’s side of the family calls it some not so pleasant names, such as the toilet bowl—ironic as we live in a town with an infamous giant toilet seat at the center of it—but that’s not relevant to their Buckeye-centered jokes). Safe to say it will be an interesting game for my family, who are scattered across the US at the moment.

For me, I’m focusing on a different angle as we get set for the puck drop.

Detroit Red Wings prepare for the Stadium Series against the Columbus Blue Jackets

There have been plenty of outdoor games the National Hockey League (NHL) has put on, but this one is a bit different.

While we are all focused on the business side of things, whether it’s the fight in the standings or seeking revenge for a poorly executed game Thursday night, there’s a human side that can’t be ignored. 

The hockey world lost two great men this off-season to someone who made a selfish, careless choice to drink and drive. Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau were a huge part of USA Hockey. 

Since their passing, I’ve read only amazing things about the brothers. They didn’t care who the players were, where they came from, or their past; each player they met was welcomed with open arms. It’s how every dressing room should be and every teammate should feel. 

For some reason, this storyline of Team USA playing for the Gaudreau brothers was overshadowed in the Four Nations Tournament in favor of political coverage. 

Today, the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets are doing what the media should have focused on before the championship game: focusing on the people who matter. The Gaudreau brothers, who were robbed of their right to live by an unremorseful monster. 

Tonight, both teams will honor them the best way that they know how, and that should be our focus. Everything else is cool, but remembering loved ones who we’ve lost, carrying them with us, and continuing to live for them, honoring them the best ways we know how.

On the Columbus Blue Jackets side of things, they wore what’s called the “signature Johnny fit” that is comprised of “black Ugg boots. Black sweats. Avalon Surf Shop sweatshirt purchaed at the store in Avalon, New Jersey. Black AMIRI hats with three black stars. Facing forward” per Dan Rosen, a senior writer for the NHL website. 

Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s wife, will lead the Blue Jackets onto the field as well. 

On the flip side, the Detroit Red Wings are paying their dues to their fallen brothers as well, according to Abhilasha Aditi of sportskeeda.

Instead of opting for the signature Johnny look, they went with jerseys. Each Red Wings player loaded onto the bus to Horseshoe with either a number 13 (Johnny’s number) or eight (Matthew’s number) Gaudreau jersey.  

There might have been someone cutting onions nearby or a little extra dust caught in my eye when I saw all the Red Wings players in their uniforms (even Elmer Söderblom—I’m impressed they could find a jersey that fit him).

This game means a lot to everyone for a variety of reasons. While the hockey side is important and fun, let’s not forget the most important part of tonight. So far, both teams and the NHL have understood and executed the assignment.

No words are adequate for how much we miss the Gaudreau brothers. Tonight, both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings get to honor the Gaudreau family.

No matter what happens, let’s continue to champion our hockey heroes: Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau.