Johnny And Matthew Gaudreau's Mother Releases Heartfelt Statement After Emotional Week in Columbus

This past off-season was tough for so many, whether it be fans, former teammates, fellow players, coaching staff or the executives of the NHL, but no one has been hit harder than the beautiful family of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Throughout the whole process, through the anguish and the heartbreak, Johnny's partner Meredith and his family have been a beacon of strength in the hardest time of their lives, showing everyone that supported them immense love during this time.

For the Blue Jackets season opener, the team set up a tribute at Nationwide Arena, before honouring Johnny before the game, with his best friend Sean Monahan giving an amazing tribute after scoring a great goal. Now, the mother of the two fallen stars has reached out via social media after an emotional week, thanking the Blue Jackets and the fans for their incredible support over the past few months.

The tributes have been long and unending over the past few months, with so much love for Johnny, especially in Columbus and Calgary, and the more time goes on, the more clear it becomes that the support of the fans and the NHL has meant so much to the family.

Over the years, Johnny, Matthew and the entire Gaudreau family have become beloved wherever they go at whatever level, and the outpouring of love since their untimely passing has been incredible, a true show of what great people they were on and off the ice. It's not going to get easier for the amazing Gaudreau family, but this type of support can no doubt help them get by, and with so many more opportunities to honour the brothers moving forward, they will never be forgotten in the NHL world.