Blue Jackets GM puts focus on hockey in wake of Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic death Achi-News

Hearing the familiar sounds of sticks snapping and pucks knocking off the boards and glass while watching the Columbus Blue Jackets’ prospects from the cool rink stands on a warm late summer afternoon wasn’t enough to wash away the remnants of Don Waddell’s grief on Saturday.

That, the Blue Jackets’ general manager acknowledges, will take longer than anyone can guess – weeks, months, maybe an entire season and beyond.

What’s important is how spending the weekend attending the Sabers Prospects Challenge was the start of what Waddell called among the first steps in refocusing on hockey and the future following the deaths of Columbus star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew when he was hit by a suspected drunk driver. while riding bikes on August 29.

“We have to play hockey,” Waddell said.

“We’re not going to forget about Johnny and his family, the Gaudreau family.”

She then reflected on the speech that Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, made during the brothers’ funeral on Monday, by encouraging those who mourn to move on as she will while focusing on raising her children.

“Everybody knows Johnny wants them to play hockey,” Waddell said. “And everyone is rallying around that.”

The resumption of hockey in Columbus began last week, when most of the Blue Jackets players returned to their facility to be together and lean on each other at the urging of Waddell and team captain Boone Jenner. And it will continue on Thursday, when the team opens training camp, exactly three weeks since the killing of the Gaudreaus.

“Tragic. Senseless. But now we have to focus on trying to get our team ready to play hockey this year,” said Waddell.

“We all grieve and heal differently, but I think as a team that being together like this is going to be crucial for them moving forward.”

Waddell and the Blue Jackets are no strangers to tragedy.

Waddell was the general manager of the Atlantic Flames at the time in 2003 when Dany Heatley lost control of his car and hit a wall, with the accident killing passenger and teammate Dan Snyder. In 2021, Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks died during a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July.

Waddell put the emphasis on himself and coach Dean Evason – both newcomers to Columbus this season – to lead the team through what will be an emotional season.

“Now, do I think there will be some dark days? I won’t be surprised,” Waddell said.

Memories of the deaths of the Gaudreaus remain prominent, and they will be reflected in Buffalo on Friday night. There was a moment of silence as a tribute to the brothers before the opening game of a game between the Blue Jackets and Sabres.

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Afterwards, Columbus prospect Gavin Brindley recalled the times he spent with Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus and as teammates representing the United States at the world hockey championships in the Czech Republic in May.

“He was one of my biggest mentors in the world championships,” Brindley said. “I couldn’t tell you how many times we hung out with Meredith, pictures on my phone. It’s so hard to look back and see those kinds of things.”

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association are providing support to the Blue Jackets in the form of grief counseling, crowd safety at vigils and addressing hockey issues, such as potentially changing the league’s salary cap rules to provide relief for Columbus from having to reach the minimum. NHL payroll. because of the void left by Gaudreau’s contract.

“The Blue Jackets, I don’t think anybody’s focused from an organizational standpoint, from a hockey standpoint in terms of what’s coming next, because I think everybody’s still in shock,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. The Associated Press last week.

“I don’t think anyone is focused on right now other than the grieving part, which is understandable.”

Much of the burden has fallen on Waddell, who has been in talks with the NHL, the NHLPA and handling outreach programs with the Blue Jackets’ partner, OhioHealth, while also overseeing preparations for training camp and measuring his prospects in Buffalo.

There is also his roster to attend to, and he said he has two openings at forward, one involving Justin Danforth, who could miss the start of the season due to a wrist injury. Waddell didn’t have to mention the second opening.

Tired and emotional as he was, Waddell found comfort in being in his element, an ice rink, and looking forward to the start of training camp.

“The guys are in really good shape. We’ve done a lot of testing already and they’re eager to get going,” Waddell said. “We have a reason to play for him. And we’ll make the most of it.”

–with files from Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press

& copy 2024 The Associated Press