Blue Jackets’ Boone Jenner pens emotional Johnny Gaudreau tribute

As mentioned, Boone Jenner is far from the only person to pay tribute to Johnny Gaudreau. The Blue Jackets released a statement early Friday morning when the news first broke. Columbus committed to supporting the Gaudreau family as everyone processes this tragic loss.

“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets,” the Blue Jackets said in their statement. “He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.”

Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson also took to Instagram on Friday. He posted two images to his story. Within these posts, he shared incredibly heartfelt words while thanking his friend and teammate for everything.

Fans have also made tributes of their own in the wake of Gaudreau’s passing. Flowers and hockey sticks were laid outside of Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Friday morning. Soon after, a similar memorial was made outside of the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Gaudreau spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Calgary Flames. In the summer of 2022, he signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets in NHL Free Agency. He played 763 career regular season games, scoring 243 goals and 743 points. In 42 playoff games, the New Jersey native added 11 goals and 33 points.

This is an unspeakable tragedy that will hang over the sports world for some time to come. ClutchPoints sends its condolences to the Gaudreau family, his friends, and teammates at this time. May his loved ones heal from this loss and one day find peace.