Fans Gather Outside Of Nationwide Arena To Pay Respects For Fallen Blue Jacket Johnny Gaudreau

Less than 24 hours after the tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, fans all around the world were left trying to process what had happened. 

But for fans and people who follow the CBJ in Columbus, they had a place to come together and grieve, tell stories to each other, or drop off flowers and leave. That place was Nationwide Arena. 

Throughout the day and night, a steady stream of people wearing Blue Jackets jerseys, shirts, and even Flames jerseys, came to the makeshift memorial to pay their respects. 

Fans told each other stories about meeting Johnny, the first time they saw him play in person, how he was afraid of The Cannon, or just talking about hockey. It was a sad day that's for sure. Most people couldn't talk without getting emotional. 

Just after 7 P.M., candles were passed out and lit, and then people stood silent. The longer fans stood there, the more tears started to flow. A few people said some words about Johnny and Matthew, prayed for their families and prayed to "Lord Stanley," which made people laugh. Someone then said "There's going to be a kick-ass goalie up there too," referencing fallen Columbus goalie Matīss Kivlenieks, which again drew laughs. Laughing was much needed on this night. 

At 10 P.M., fans were still trickling in and out of the plaza. They left flowers, t-shirts, skates, sticks, jerseys, stuffed animals, made signs, and notes, and left chalk drawings on the ground. Most people couldn't walk up to the memorial without tearing up. 

The process of grieving is personal to every person. Some people were there crying, some were laughing through the pain while others stood silent. But regardless of all that, people came together to grieve for the Gaudreau family and the Columbus Blue Jackets family. 

This is going to be a long process that will most definitely have a long-lasting effect on the organization. Some fans told me that their support of this team will run deeper than it ever has for them, knowing that players and people who work for the team are grieving as well, and will need the support. 

Our thoughts continue to go out to the Gaudreau family, and everyone connected with them.