The clacking of sticks and the reverberation of pucks off the boards and glass carried a familiar tune at the Columbus Blue Jackets’ facility on Saturday. Yet, for General Manager Don Waddell and the team, the comforting sounds of hockey were insufficient to erase the heavy shadows cast by recent tragedies.
On August 29, a devastating accident took place, leaving both the Blue Jackets and the Gaudreau family reeling. Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles. As the team gathered back at their facility, the loss was palpable. "We got to play hockey. We're not going to forget about Johnny and his family, the Gaudreau family," Waddell said, underscoring the delicate balance between grief and the need to push forward.
A Team United in Grief
The impact of this tragedy was felt deeply throughout the organization. A moment of silence was observed before the opening faceoff of Friday night’s prospect exhibition game between the Blue Jackets and the Sabres. Players, staff, and fans alike shared a collective moment of mourning.
Waddell’s candor about the emotional toll on the team was revealing. "Tragic. Senseless. But now we got to focus on trying to get our team ready to play hockey this year," he stated. The organization, still grappling with the loss, has found a semblance of solace in unity. "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," Waddell added.
Past Shadows, Present Challenges
For Waddell, this isn’t the first time he has had to navigate through the aftermath of tragedy. In 2003, while with another organization, Waddell experienced the emotional upheaval when forward Dany Heatley’s car accident resulted in the death of teammate Dan Snyder. More recently, in 2021, Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks died in a July Fourth fireworks incident. These previous experiences have lent Waddell a grim understanding of the process of collective healing within a team.
The NHL and NHL Players' Association have quickly rallied to the Blue Jackets' side, providing not just grief counseling but also security at vigils and support for other hockey-related matters. There is even talk of adjusting the league’s salary cap rules to offer Columbus some relief. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman reflected 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."
Preparing for a New Season
Despite the heavy emotional atmosphere, practical necessities remain. Training camp is set to open on Thursday, marking exactly three weeks since the Gaudreau accident. The team is preparing to navigate upcoming challenges; notably, there are two openings on the roster at forward, one created by a wrist injury to Justin Danforth.
Newcomers to Columbus this offseason, Waddell and coach Dean Evason face a baptism of fire. As the team grapples with its grief, it also looks to integrate new leadership. The collective spirit, however, appears resolute. "Everybody knows that Johnny wants them to play hockey. And everybody's rallying around that," Waddell observed. "The guys are in really good shape. We've done a lot of testing already and they're eager to get going."
Finding Purpose in the Pain
Among the players, the emotional impact is evident. Gavin Brindley, particularly affected by the loss, shared, "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."
As the Blue Jackets prepare to embark on a new season, their path forward is paved with a sense of purpose amid sorrow. "We have a reason to play for. And we'll make the best of it," Waddell declared, capturing the prevailing sentiment within the team. Bettman also echoed a poignant truth, "I don't think anybody's focused right now other than on the grieving part, which is understandable."
The Blue Jackets find themselves at the confluence of heartache and hope, ready to channel their loss into resilience as they step onto the ice once more.