- ABC News
- October 15, 2024
The Columbus Blue Jackets now have what they call a "Johnny skate" at the end of practice. It's a shot someone takes from the far end of the ice toward the opposite goal. Make it, players skate one lap. Miss it, players skate three laps. That's as in 1 and 3. 13. Johnny Gaudreau's jersey number. And the shooter Monday missed it on purpose. Nobody minded, since it was Johnny Gaudreau's father. Guy Gaudreau -- the father of the late brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau -- was a guest at the Blue Jackets' practice in Columbus, a day before the team's home opener against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. He skated around with a few players, tapped his stick on the ice to encourage players as they skated past and had a fist-bump for everybody before the session ended "He loves the game, loves hockey," Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. "It was a joy to have him out there." Guy Gaudreau is former hockey coach at Hollydell Ice Arena and Gloucester...