Hearing the familiar sounds of clacking sticks and pucks banging off the boards and glass was not enough to wash away the lingering residuals of grief for Don Waddell on Saturday. The Blue Jackets' general manager was candid about the emotional toll recent events have taken on him and the entire team as they navigate the aftermath of a harrowing tragedy.
On August 29, Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles. The incident shook the Blue Jackets organization to its core, casting a pall over a team eager to begin a new season. Despite the return of most players to their facilities, a somber mood still pervades the locker room.
Don Waddell did not mince words. “We got to play hockey. We're not going to forget about Johnny and his family, the Gaudreau family,” he said, a sentiment that underscores the balance between mourning and moving forward. “Tragic. Senseless. But now we got to focus on trying to get our team ready to play hockey this year,” he added, capturing the difficult duality faced by the team.
The Blue Jackets observed a moment of silence before the opening faceoff of Friday night’s prospect exhibition game against the Sabres, a poignant reminder of the loss that extends far beyond the ice rink. The emotional scars are still fresh, and for many, the memories of similar past tragedies have resurfaced.
Don Waddell is no stranger to grief. In 2003, he endured the heartache of losing forward Dany Heatley in an accident that also claimed the life of teammate Dan Snyder. The echoes of past trauma weigh heavily on Waddell, who acknowledged the parallels. “We all mourn and heal differently, but I think as a team being together like that is going to be critical for them to get moving forward,” he stressed, emphasizing the importance of unity in the face of such sorrow.
The road to recovery is being paved with support from both the NHL and the NHL Players' Association. Grief counseling, added security at vigils, and addressing hockey-related issues are part of a comprehensive support system. This extends to potentially altering the league’s salary cap rules, providing the Blue Jackets with some much-needed relief. These steps highlight the league's commitment to helping the team through this challenging period.
As training camp approaches, set to open exactly three weeks since the Gaudreaus were killed, the Blue Jackets face the daunting task of preparing for a new season. There are two openings on the roster at forward, one due to a wrist injury sidelining Justin Danforth. These vacancies add another layer of complexity to an already emotionally charged environment.
Newcomers to Columbus this offseason, Don Waddell and coach Dean Evason, find themselves in the eye of the storm, tasked with guiding a grieving team. The emotional landscape is not lost on them. Gavin Brindley, a player deeply affected by the loss, expressed his sorrow. “He was one of the biggest mentors for me at the world championships. I couldn't tell you how many times we hung out with Meredith, pictures on my phone. It's just so hard to look back and see that kind of stuff,” he shared, his words reflecting the heavy hearts within the team.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman summarized the state of the organization succinctly: “The Blue Jackets, I don't think anybody's focused from an organizational standpoint, from a hockey standpoint as to what comes next, because I think everybody's still in shock.” Bettman’s observations underscore the collective state of disbelief and the slow road toward normalcy. "I don't think anybody's focused right now other than on the grieving part, which is understandable," he added.
Despite the overwhelming grief, the spirit of Johnny Gaudreau remains a guiding light for the Blue Jackets. “Everybody knows that Johnny wants them to play hockey. And everybody's rallying around that,” Waddell noted, capturing the resolve within the team to honor their fallen teammate. “The guys are in really good shape. We've done a lot of testing already and they're eager to get going,” he added, pointing to the readiness and resilience of the team.
"We have a reason to play for. And we'll make the best of it,” Waddell concluded, encapsulating the blend of mourning and motivation that will drive the Blue Jackets forward into the new season. As the team laces up their skates and takes to the ice, the memory of Johnny Gaudreau and the unwavering support of the hockey community will undoubtedly serve as a source of strength and inspiration in the months to come.