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 opened up 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 incident left the Blue Jackets reeling, and as they navigate this difficult terrain, most players have returned to their facility in an attempt to find a semblance of normalcy.
A Struggle Beyond the Rink
A moment of silence was observed before the opening faceoff of Friday night's prospect exhibition game between the Blue Jackets and Sabres, a solemn reminder of the tragedy that has befallen the team. This is not the first time Don Waddell has faced such heartache. In 2003, tragedy struck when forward Dany Heatley lost control of his car, striking a wall and killing teammate Dan Snyder. More recently, in 2021, Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks died during a July Fourth fireworks accident.
The NHL and NHL Players' Association have stepped in to provide support to the Blue Jackets, offering grief counseling, added security at vigils, and assistance with hockey-related issues. In a bid to offer some administrative relief, there might be an alteration of the league's salary cap rules for Columbus.
Preparing for the Season
Training camp is set to open on Thursday, exactly three weeks since the Gaudreaus were killed. There are two openings on the Blue Jackets' roster at forward, one due to a wrist injury sidelining Justin Danforth. Newcomers Don Waddell and coach Dean Evason are working tirelessly to integrate into Columbus this offseason under these challenging circumstances.
Despite the tremendous loss, Waddell remains committed to moving forward. "We got to play hockey. We're not going to forget about Johnny and his family," Waddell remarked. "Tragic. Senseless. But now we got to focus on trying to get our team ready to play hockey this year."
A Team United in Grief
The sentiment within the team is one of collective mourning and healing. According to Waddell, "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 emphasized that the players understand that Johnny Gaudreau would want them to continue playing. "Everybody knows that Johnny wants them to play hockey. And everybody's rallying around that," he noted.
Waddell remains optimistic about the players' physical readiness, stating, "The guys are in really good shape. We've done a lot of testing already and they're eager to get going." The general manager underscored the resolve of the team, "We have a reason to play for. And we'll make the best of it."
The emotional impact extends beyond the administrative and coaching staff to the players themselves. "He was one of the biggest mentors for me at the world championships," Gavin Brindley shared. "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."
Challenges Ahead
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman provided insight into the 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."
As the Blue Jackets prepare to embark on a new season, the path forward is fraught with emotional and physical challenges. Yet, the shared grief and the support from the wider hockey community may serve as a bedrock for healing and resilience, as the team rallies around the memory of the Gaudreaus and gears up to face the season ahead.