Daily Faceoff NHL insider and Professional Hockey Writers’ Association president Frank Seravalli is facing backlash for an insensitive comment about the late Johnny Gaudreau in an article published on Monday.
On Aug. 29, Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew were tragically killed by an alleged drunk driver while they were cycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. The brothers were in town for the wedding of their sister, Katie, which was set to take place the day before their untimely deaths.
Seravalli offered 32 bold predictions for the 2024-25 NHL season, which begins tomorrow. In one entry, Seravalli projected that the Columbus Blue Jackets would win the 2025 NHL Draft lottery.
But Seravalli insensitively referenced Johnny Gaudreau’s name in the entry. He initially started the sentence by writing, “With a little help from Gaudreau” before it was changed to, “With a little help from above.”
Seravalli changed it to “With a little help from Gaudreau in heaven, the Columbus Blue Jacket will win the 2025 Draft Lottery”. The screenshots can be seen below:
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Daily Faceoff has since published an editor’s note and apology that reads the following:
Editor’s note: Item No. 14 on this list, a prediction about the Columbus Blue Jackets winning the draft lottery, has been amended to remove a comment about the late Johnny Gaudreau looking down on the team from heaven. The intent was to honor Gaudreau and not offend. The wording was chosen poorly. Daily Faceoff regrets the error and apologizes to anyone hurt by the comment.
Seravalli’s entry now reads:
“The Columbus Blue Jackets will win the 2025 Draft Lottery. It’s the only consolation prize on a brutal year, but hope and help is on the way. Bananas that the Blue Jackets have never won the Lottery.”
Johnny’s widow, Meredith, announced after his death that she was pregnant with their third child. Matthew was married to longtime partner Madeline, who’s pregnant with a son.
NHL Players & Teams Pay Tribute To Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau
NHL players and teams have come together to honor the memories of the beloved Gaudreau brothers. For starters, all 32 teams will wear helmet decals of the brothers during games through Oct. 24. Montreal Canadiens star Cole Caufield switched his jersey to No. 13 (Johnny’s uniform number)
