Watching the Columbus Blue Jackets’ prospects from the stands of a cold rink on a warm late summer afternoon, the familiar sound of sticks and pucks hitting the boards and glass wasn’t enough to wash away Don Waddell’s lingering sadness on Saturday.
The Blue Jackets’ general manager admits it will take longer than anyone expected: weeks, months, maybe even a season.
Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell speaks during a candlelight vigil honoring Blue Jackets hockey player Johnny Gaudreau outside National Wide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2024.
AP Photo/Joe Maiorana
What’s important is that participating in the Sabres Prospect Challenge over the weekend was the beginning of what Waddell called one of the first steps toward refocusing on hockey and the future following the deaths of Columbus star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding their bicycles Aug. 29.
“We ended up playing hockey,” Waddell said.
“We will not forget Johnny and his family, the Gaudreau family.”
He recalled a speech given by Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, at her brothers’ funeral on Monday, urging mourners to move forward and focus on raising their children.
“Everybody knows Johnny wants them to play hockey,” Waddell said. “And everyone is supportive of that.”
The return of hockey in Columbus began last week, with most Blue Jackets players returning to the facility to stay together and lean on each other at the urging of Waddell and team president Boone Jenner. And when the team opens training camp on Thursday, it will be exactly three weeks since Gaudreaus died.
“It’s tragic and it’s senseless, but now we have to focus on getting the team ready to play hockey this year,” Waddell said.
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“We all grieve and heal differently, but I think coming together as a team will be critical to their ability to move forward.”
Tragedy is not unfamiliar to Waddell or the Blue Jackets.
Waddell was the Atlanta Flames’ general manager in 2003 when Danny Heatley lost control of his car and crashed into a wall, killing his passenger and teammate Dan Snyder. In 2021, Blue Jackets goalie Matis Kivleniex died in a Fourth of July fireworks accident.
Waddell has focused on himself and coach Dean Evason (both new to Columbus in the offseason) to guide the team through an emotionally charged season.
“Now, do you think there will be dark days? I wouldn’t be surprised,” Waddell said.
Reminders of Gaudreaus’ death are still palpable, and they were reflected Friday night in Buffalo, where a moment of silence was held in honor of the brother before the season opener between the Blue Jackets and Sabres.
Afterwards, Columbus prospect Gavin Brindley reflected on his time with Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus and their time as teammates when they represented the United States at the World Hockey Championships in the Czech Republic in May.
“He was one of my biggest mentors at the World Championships,” Brindley said. “I can’t tell you how many times I hung out with Meredith. I have pictures on my phone. It’s really hard to look back and see things like that.”
The NHL and NHL Players Association are offering the Blue Jackets help with hockey issues, including counseling services, crowd security for the memorial service and changing the league’s salary cap rules to ease the burden on Columbus, which is not making the NHL minimum salary due to a contract void at guard.
“I think the Blue Jackets, from an organizational standpoint, from a hockey standpoint, I don’t think anyone is focused on what’s going to happen next because everyone is still in shock,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. Yonhap News Agency last week.
“It seems like no one is focused on anything other than the sad part right now. That’s understandable.”
Much of the burden falls on Waddell, who will work with the NHL, NHLPA and Blue Jackets partner OhioHealth to conduct outreach programs, prepare for training camp and evaluate prospects in Buffalo.
He also has to worry about his roster, which he said has two vacancies at forward. One includes Justin Danforth, who could miss the start of the season with a wrist injury. Waddell didn’t have to mention the second vacancy.
Although exhausted and emotional, Waddell found solace in being on the field, on the rink, and was looking forward to the start of training camp.
“The players are in really good shape. We’ve done a lot of testing already and they’re eager to get going,” Waddell said. “We have a reason to play and we’ll do our best.”
– With files from Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press
© 2024 The Associated Press
