Monahan: Gaudreau's locker-room stall 'brings back good memories'

It was an emotional preseason debut for Sean Monahan as he took the ice with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first time on Saturday.

"Not gonna lie, it was a pretty heavy night walking in to see (Johnny Gaudreau's) jersey hanging there for the first time, too," Monahan said postgame. "It was nice to get out there and play, get the first one out of the way and go from there."

Monahan was a close friend of the late Gaudreau from their time together with the Calgary Flames. Their stalls are next to each other in Columbus' locker room.

"I look at it, brings back a lot of memories, smiles, laughs," Monahan said. "I mean, today was the first time seeing it, so, it obviously felt a bit different. Any time I see his stuff around the locker room and whatnot, it brings back good memories for me."

The Blue Jackets are keeping Gaudreau's locker-room stall intact all season and will hang his No. 13 jersey in it at home and on the road.

Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny's widow, replied to Monahan's comments, calling him "John's favorite guy in the world."

Monahan scored two goals and was named the first star in the Blue Jackets' 6-3 preseason win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Monahan signed a five-year contract worth $27.5 million on July 1.

Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver on Aug. 29 in their home state of New Jersey, the night before their sister Katie's wedding.