COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Fans are invited to remember the lives of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, during a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night hosted by the Blue Jackets.
The vigil will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will take place on the Front Street Plaza outside the east entrance to Nationwide Arena. Members of the organization are expected to give brief remarks.
There will also be 13 minutes, 21 seconds of silent remembrance, a nod to the No. 13 jersey Johnny wore with the Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames and Boston College and to the No. 21 jersey that Matthew wore with in college with the Eagles. You can watch the vigil live Wednesday evening in the video player above.
Before Wednesday evening's vigil, the Blue Jackets' president of hockey operations Don Waddell along with team captain Boone Jenner and alternate captains Erik Gudbranson, Zach Werenski, and Sean Kuraly addressed the media to reflect on the Gaudreau brothers' lives. You can watch their comments in the video player above.
"Where there is a huge hole in our lineup, there is an even larger one in our hearts," said Waddell. "Our immediate focus is on supporting the Gaudreau family and supporting each other." Waddell said the whole team is planning to attend the funeral in New Jersey.
The Blue Jackets captains each shared the impact and joy that Johnny Gaudreau and his family had in their lives despite only being in Columbus for two seasons. "The joy. I was so lucky to have witnessed," said Jenner while holding back tears. "John was a close friend and someone I felt I have known for a lifetime."
"Thank you John for letting me be a part of your life," said Weresnki. "It's been so special to get to know him and his family firsthand and while this pain may never go away, I think we can all find a little comfort in knowing that Johnny and Matty lived life to the fullest every day."
The Gaudreau brothers were killed Thursday night when they were riding bicycles in southern New Jersey and were struck by a suspected drunk driver.
Police arrested Sean M. Higgins and charged him with two counts of vehicular homicide after he hit the Gaudreaus from behind while trying to pass two vehicles. Higgins worked for a drug and alcohol treatment center based in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
"If you think about driving after a few beers or a fun night, please please please do not find a way home," said Gudbranson, who was teammates with Gaudreau in Columbus and with the Calgary Flames.
Tributes have been pouring in for the Gaudreau brothers since the tragedy. Moments of silence were held across Columbus at the Buckeyes and Crew games. A memorial outside Nationwide Arena continued to grow and a GoFundMe page to support Matthew’s widow, Madeline, who is expecting a child in the next few months, has raised over $500,000.
