All 32 NHL teams will honour the memory of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau by wearing special helmet decals to begin the 2024-25 season. The tribute will run league-wide through October 24, when the Los Angeles Kings host the San Jose Sharks in their final home opener and be worn on the back of each player’s helmet.
The decals feature a white “G” in the centre, flanked by Johnny’s No. 13 on the left and Matthew’s No. 21 on the right, all placed upon a black circle trimmed in white. The brothers tragically lost their lives after they were both hit by a drunk driver while cycling on August 29 near their home in Salem County, New Jersey.
Buffalo and New Jersey will be the first teams to wear the decals during the 2024 NHL Global Series in Prague, where the Sabres have already begun using the decals during practice sessions. Reflecting on the decal, Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff called it “an incredible tribute to an incredibly sad situation,” adding that the league and the team are committed to honouring the Gaudreaus for their contributions to the game.
The Columbus Blue Jackets had earlier announced they would honour the pair with a helmet decal featuring a pair of doves and the brother’s uniform numbers and an additional jersey patch featuring Johnny’s number.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, played eleven seasons in the NHL, including nine with the Calgary Flames and two with the Blue Jackets. He won the NCAA’s Hobey Baker Award in 2014, the NHL’s Lady Byng Trophy in 2017 and appeared in seven NHL All-Star Games. His brother Matthew, 29, played five professional seasons in leagues such as the AHL, ECHL, and in Sweden.
