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 Columbus Blue Jackets' general manager was candid about the emotional toll 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, an incident that cast a long shadow over the team's preparations for the new season.
Emotional Toll
Most Blue Jackets players have returned to their facility, a solemn yet crucial step in moving forward. A moment of silence was held before the opening faceoff of Friday night's prospect exhibition game between the Blue Jackets and the Buffalo Sabres, a small but poignant act of remembrance.
Waddell isn't a stranger to tragedy. In 2003, he experienced a similar heartbreak when forward Dany Heatley lost control of his car, striking a wall and killing teammate Dan Snyder. The Blue Jackets are no strangers to loss either; in 2021, goalie Matiss Kivlenieks died during a July Fourth fireworks accident.
"We got to play hockey. We're not going to forget about Johnny and his family, the Gaudreau family," Waddell said. "Tragic. Senseless. But now we got to focus on trying to get our team ready to play hockey this year."
Team Support
At this juncture, the NHL and NHL Players' Association have extended their support to the Blue Jackets. This backing includes grief counseling, added security at vigils, and addressing various hockey-related issues. There is also talk of potentially altering the league's salary cap rules to provide Columbus some relief.
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. The emotional weight on players and staff is palpable, and the support from the league could not come at a better time.
"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 said. "Everybody knows that Johnny wants them to play hockey. And everybody's rallying around that."
New Beginnings
The arrival of new coach Dean Evason and general manager Don Waddell this offseason adds another layer to an already complex situation. For these newcomers, the combination of establishing their leadership and dealing with the team's emotional state is a unique challenge.
"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," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged. "I don't think anybody's focused right now other than on the grieving part, which is understandable."
Forward Gavin Brindley has been deeply affected by the loss. "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," Brindley reflected.
Season Preparations
As the Blue Jackets prepare to embark on a new season, the team's spirit remains indomitable. "The guys are in really good shape. We've done a lot of testing already and they're eager to get going," Waddell stated, adding, "We have a reason to play for. And we'll make the best of it."
The road ahead will not be easy, and the scars from recent and past tragedies will not quickly fade. Yet, there is a resolve within this franchise to honor those lost by pressing forward, bringing life back to a sport that offers so much joy and solace to its players and fans alike.