NHL honours Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in emotional Stadium Series tribute

The Stadium Series game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings on Saturday promised to have it all: a crowd of more than 90,000 — the second largest in NHL history — and an electric atmosphere inside the iconic Ohio Stadium.

The NHL also ensured a key figure was front and centre.

Columbus is mourning the death of Johnny Gaudreau, the NHL star known as "Johnny Hockey," and his younger brother, Matthew, who were struck and killed while riding bicycles near their New Jersey home Aug. 29, one day before their sister's wedding.

The NHL made it a priority to honour the Gaudreaus during the Blue Jackets' first outdoor hockey experience.

The Blue Jackets entered the arena in what team captain Boone Jenner called "Signature Johnny fit," wearing matching sweatshirts from Avalon Surf Shop, emulating Gaudreau's ritual of representing businesses from his New Jersey home. The Red Wings donned No. 13 Gaudreau jerseys from across his career, including Team USA and the Boston College Eagles.

The Gaudreaus' mother, Jane, led the team into the stadium with Johnny's widow, Meredith, and their young children, Noa and Johnny, wearing Gaudreau Stadium Series bomber jackets. It was a powerful reflection of the close-knit team family that has been forged.

"We wanted to have that moment and get people talking about them again, and never forgetting," said Steve Mayer, NHL president of content and events.

Johnny Gaudreau's legacy was also felt throughout the game. His jersey was displayed in the Blue Jackets' dressing room, as it has been all season, and his image appeared on the newly painted helmet of starting goalie Elvis Merzlikins.

"Johnny is still teaching us so many ways," Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason said. "We talk