Columbus Blue Jackets shine in the 2025 Stadium Series
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The 2025 NHL Stadium Series was a powerful tribute to Johnny Gaudreau, as the Blue Jackets honored his memory with heartfelt tributes throughout the game.
On Saturday, Mar. 1, the 2025 National Hockey League (NHL) Stadium Series took place at the infamous Ohio Stadium between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings. The Stadium Series is one of the events that players and fans alike look forward to every year.
The star of the show was the venue itself, with the game being played at the 103-year-old Ohio Stadium. It is considered one of the most iconic sports venues. With a classic, Roman-styled horseshoe design, it remains timeless. The rink was perfectly positioned at midfield, surrounded by Ohio State football decor, creating a uniquely Columbus atmosphere.
Another perk of the game being held at Ohio Stadium is that it can hold more than 100,000 fans. Despite below-freezing temperatures and whipping winds, this year’s Stadium Series welcomed 94,571 fans; the second-largest crowd in NHL history. Columbus Blue Jackets winger Mathieu Olivier said, “It’s tough to find a way to describe it…Obviously, it’s a little unknown to us because we’re used to playing with around 18 (or) 20,000 people. This is almost five times that. Everything sounds louder. Everything sounds like a deeper roar, and it’s definitely extremely special.”
A game like this one brings many storylines and highlights, but the biggest one was the tribute to late Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau. This past August, Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed in a drunk-driving accident while riding bikes in their home state of New Jersey. Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said, “This whole day was in honor of him… I think it was perfect how it was all set up, and it was a really special day for everyone involved.”
The Blue Jackets walked into St. John Arena for the pre-game pep rally wearing Johnny’s signature outfit— black UGG boots, black sweatpants, a light blue sweatshirt from Avalon Surf Shop in New Jersey, and a black AMIRI ballcap with three black stars in the front. Johnny’s mother, wife, and two kids led the team to Ohio Stadium. The Detroit Red Wings also honored Gaudreau and his brother. They stepped off the bus wearing jerseys that Johnny and Matthew wore during their careers. From Boston College and USA Hockey to Omaha of the United States Hockey League (USHL), each player wore a Gaudreau nameplate on their back.
Another heartfelt tribute was at the 4:25 minute mark during the first period when a video tribute was played. The screen showed Jane Gaudreau, Johnny and Matthew’s mother, wearing a number 13 Gaudreau Blue Jackets jersey, tearing up. The stadium erupted with cheers of “Johnny Hockey” as fans passed around a giant Gaudreau Blue Jackets banner during the second period.
Johnny’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, spoke on the tributes, saying, “That’s incredible…I didn’t see that before. It’s just so cool to see everything Columbus has done and everything Detroit’s doing in his honor. It’s really, really touching.”
As for the game itself, the Columbus Blue Jackets took down the Detroit Red Wings with a 5-3 win in Columbus’s first outdoor game. This Blue Jackets’ win has pushed them into the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card playoff spot, jumping right over the Red Wings. At the start of the NHL season, many questioned how the Blue Jackets would respond after losing one of their star players —and a beloved teammate— far too soon. Yet, Columbus has risen to the challenge, proving itself to be a formidable force on the ice.
Blue Jackets captain and center Boone Jenner spoke on the Stadium Series and Gaudreau’s impact on their team and the hockey world, saying, “There’s no doubt he would’ve had a blast, and we’re going to play for him (Saturday) like we have all year and honor him that way, the best way we can… He would’ve loved this, everything about it.”
The 2025 Stadium Series was more than just an outdoor game— it was a testament to resilience, remembrance, and the unbreakable bond of the hockey community. From the roaring crowd of nearly 95,000 to the heartfelt tributes honoring Johnny Gaudreau, this night was about more than just the scoreboard.