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 that recent events have taken on him and the entire team. On August 29, Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles. The tragedy has cast a long shadow over the Blue Jackets, and the process of healing is far from over.
"We got to play hockey. We're not going to forget about Johnny and his family, the Gaudreau family," Waddell said with a solemn resolve. "Tragic. Senseless. But now we got to focus on trying to get our team ready to play hockey this year."
A Team in Mourning
Most Blue Jackets players have returned to their facility, trying to find solace and continuity in the game they love. A poignant moment of silence was held before the opening faceoff of Friday night's prospect exhibition game between the Blue Jackets and Sabres, a deeply emotional tribute to the Gaudreaus that resonated with everyone in attendance.
Johnny Gaudreau's presence, both physically and spiritually, will be missed, and the loss is especially personal for the team's new additions. Don Waddell and coach Dean Evason joined Columbus this offseason, and they are now faced with guiding the team through an unprecedented period of grief and uncertainty. For Waddell, the feelings are all too familiar.
Back in 2003, as he lamented, forward Dany Heatley lost control of his car, striking a wall and killing teammate Dan Snyder. It's a painful chapter in Waddell's life that has eerily echoed in recent weeks, evoking memories of an emotional past that never fully fades.
League-Wide Support and Adjustments
The NHL and NHL Players' Association have stepped in to provide support to the Blue Jackets. This includes grief counseling, added security at vigils, and addressing hockey-related issues that contribute to the overarching well-being of the team. There's even speculation about altering the league's salary cap rules to provide Columbus some relief, a measure indicative of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the tragedies.
"Everybody knows that Johnny wants them to play hockey. And everybody's rallying around that," Waddell affirmed. It's a sentiment that underscores the collective effort to push through adversity and focus on the season ahead.
Preparing for a New Season
Thursday marks the opening of training camp, exactly three weeks since the Gaudreaus were killed. The emotional weight of the events is palpable amongst the players, coaching staff, and management. Yet, the goal remains to prepare for the rigor and challenges of a new NHL season.
The Blue Jackets are facing roster adjustments due to circumstances both tragic and commonplace. There are two openings at forward, one due to a wrist injury sidelining Justin Danforth. These openings will provide opportunities for other players to step up, but they come with the heavy knowledge of why they exist.
The arrival of new personnel adds another layer to the season's complex fabric of emotions. Gavin Brindley, deeply affected by the loss, shared how integral Johnny Gaudreau was to his journey, "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."
Focus and Healing
As NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman summarized the current state of the organization, "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." He added, "I don't think anybody's focused right now other than on the grieving part, which is understandable."
The communal aspect of recovery cannot be overstated. "We all mourn and heal differently," Waddell noted, "but I think as a team being together like that is going to be critical for them to get moving forward."
Amidst their grief, there exists a steely determination to honor Johnny Gaudreau by embodying his love for the game. "We have a reason to play for. And we'll make the best of it," Waddell asserted, drawing from the deep reservoir of resilience shared by the team.
The Blue Jackets are preparing to embark on a new season, carrying the memories of those they've lost while fostering a spirit of unity to overcome the shadows of recent weeks. It is this resilience, forged in both pain and camaraderie, that they hope will define their journey on the ice this year.