COLUMBUS, Ohio — If you walked past the main entrance of Nationwide Arena on Friday, it’d be difficult not to be moved by the outpouring of love and support for a Columbus Blue Jackets player many knew as "Johnny Hockey".
A memorial of flower bouquets, hockey sticks, posters and cards continued to grow well into Friday evening as fans gathered together to mourn the loss of Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau.
Tragedy, much like sports, brings people together. Rooting for a team gives people something to believe in, something to hope for and even someone to aspire to be. Johnny provided all of that and more to Jackets fans.
"I'm a season ticket holder. I have one ticket, but it's one ticket with a bunch of my friends. When Johnny signed, he was kind of the final reason for it,” Dave Fetzer said.
In times of tragedy, much like sports, it's faith that gets you through the loss. Blue Jackets fans understand that concept all too well.
"Truth of the matter is, we haven't won here. We've had rough years with a couple exceptions, but you know, every single game that arena's sold out,” Fetzer said.
It’s a sold-out arena filled with fans who have faith.
"Its hope, its belief, its trusting that something good's gonna come,” Fetzer said.
Win or lose, it's clear Gaudreau set himself apart.
"He'd still go out and give 100% even when the other guys on the team were just skating around,” Fetzer said.
"He's been a really big role model, especially for younger kids,” said Amanda Rivera, another season ticket holder.
But many said it’s the way Gaudreau carried himself off the ice that showed his true character.
"He made you feel like you mattered,” Fetzer said.
Not even 90-degree heat and humidity could stop scores of fans from donning the #13 jersey on Friday.
"I will probably wear this [jersey] one more time and then retire it. It'll be opening night and then it’s going in a frame on the wall,” Fetzer said.
Fetzer said he’ll never forget the day Gaudreau signed his jersey.
"They'll set up you know, two, three players at a table spread throughout the arena. Everybody gets in line, the first 100 people get a ticket. You're guaranteed an autograph by that player. Johnny is one of the only guys who would stick around,” Fetzer said.
Gaudreau was a player who was unwilling to let his fans down.
"They would have signs saying 'no pictures,' because they wanna keep things moving. He didn't care. He would take pictures, he would sign autographs, he would talk to you, it didn't matter,” said Fetzer.
Finding faith through this loss is something fans are still working through, but they’re working through it together.
"We're all a family here. No matter win or lose, you know, we have to support each other, especially right now. This is the time that we really need everybody the most,” Rivera said.