Emotional Tribute to 'Johnny Hockey' as Meredith Gaudreau Announces Blue Jackets' First Draft Pick
Meredith Gaudreau announced the Columbus Blue Jackets' first pick in the NHL draft Friday night, 10 months after her husband, John, was killed along with his brother while riding bicycles on the eve of their sister's wedding. Fans at the Peacock Theater chanted 'Johnny! Johnny!' in honor of the late player nicknamed 'Johnny Hockey' and cheered Meredith as she spoke.
'I just wanted to take this time to thank every single team and every single fan base for your support for my family this past season,' Gaudreau said. 'It's truly an honor to be here and from the bottom of my heart I thank you.'
Gaudreau then said the Blue Jackets were taking Jackson Smith, who later called it a 'surreal experience.' Smith, on a video call with reporters, added he was grateful to be part of the poignant scene.
'It was incredible,' Smith said. 'Just to see the support in the stands, in the crowd, for the Gaudreau family–it was an incredible moment, so to be picked right after that felt even extra special for me.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Chourio's 3-Run Homer Helps Power Brewers Past Rockies 10-6
Jackson Chourio hit a three-run home run, Brice Turang added two RBIs, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Colorado Rockies 10–6 on Friday night. José Quintana (6–2) gave up four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts across 5 2/3 innings as the 46–36 Brewers improved to a season-high 10 games over .500. Braxton Fulford had three hits and three RBIs for the Rockies, who have lost four in a row and seven of their last eight games. Kyle Freeland (1–9) gave up six runs on eight hits and three walks in four innings pitched. Chourio hit a run-scoring groundout, and Christian Yelich followed with a two-run double in the eighth to cap the scoring. Yelich has a 10-game hitting streak and in his last 28 games is batting .386 (44 for 114) with eight home runs and 33 RBIs. William Contreras led off the fifth with a single, advanced to second on an error, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Isaac Collins, and then scored on a balk by Jimmy Herget, who replaced Freeland to open the inning to make it 7–4 in the fifth. Thairo Estrada had three hits, including a two-run single in Colorado's three-run fifth. Fulford hit a run-scoring double in the sixth, two-run double in the eighth. Milwaukee's Caleb Durbin had three hits. Key moment: Contreras led off the fourth with a single, Collins followed with another, and Rhys Hoskins drew a walk before Turang hit a two-run single. After back-to-back fly outs, Hoskins scored on a single by Sal Frelick, and Chourio's homer made it 6–0. Key stats: Milwaukee is 39–9 this season when scoring at least four runs and 7–27 when scoring three runs or fewer. Up next: Colorado's Antonio Senzatela (3–10, 6.48 ERA) is scheduled to pitch Saturday against Milwaukee's Quinn Priester (5–2, 3.68).
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Smith and Diaz hit 3-run homers as Astros beat Cubs 7-4, extend win streak to 5 games
Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston, and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7–4 on Friday night. Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West–leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games. The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3–2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center. Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year, was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker. He extended Houston's lead to 7–0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs. Walter (1–1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save. Jeremy Peña exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury. Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central–leading Chicago. Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings. Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame. Key moment: Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it, with Tucker representing the tying run on deck. Key stat: Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June and improved to an MLB-best 18–6 this month. Up next: Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4–3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Houston has not named a starter.
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Marcus Stroman to return to Yankees' rotation after missing 2 1/2 months with knee injury
Marcus Stroman will be activated by the New York Yankees to start on Sunday after missing 2 1/2 months with left knee inflammation. Stroman threw a side session Friday, and manager Aaron Boone made the announcement after the Yankees beat the Athletics 3–0 in a series opener. 'We wanted to see him today, make sure he's in a good spot, good with his pen and everything,' Boone said. 'So, just checking the boxes.' Stroman has not pitched for the Yankees since allowing five runs in two-thirds of an inning against the San Francisco Giants on April 11, when he threw 46 pitches in a steady rain. He was placed on the 15-day injured list the next day with what Boone hoped at the time would be a short-term absence. On May 9, Stroman experienced discomfort in his knee after throwing a batting practice session in Tampa, Florida. He did not begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment until June 11. In three rehab appearances with Double-A Somerset, Stroman was 0–1 with a 6.97 ERA. He made his final rehab start on Wednesday and allowed five runs, 10 hits, and two walks over 3 2/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers' Erie Seawolves of the Eastern League. The Yankees placed No. 5 starter Ryan Yarbrough on the injured list Sunday with a strained right oblique and started Allan Winans on Monday in Cincinnati. Stroman turned 34 on May 1 and is in the second season of a two-year contract guaranteeing $37 million. The right-hander's deal includes a $16 million conditional player option for 2026 that could be exercised if he pitches in at least 140 innings this year. Last season, Stroman was 10–9 with a 4.31 ERA in 29 starts and one relief appearance over 154 2/3 innings, his most since 2021 with the Mets. Stroman struggled in the second half and did not pitch in the postseason when the Yankees made their first World Series appearance since 2009.
