Back to the NHL Newsfeed

Photo: Johnny Gaudreau Honored on Elvis Merzlikins' Custom Blue Jackets Goalie Mask

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins will honor his late teammate Johnny Gaudreau with his mask design for the 2024-25 season.

The chin covering of Merzlikins' mask features Gaudreau's No. 13 beside a plate of pasta. Gaudreau infamously ate buttered pasta as part of his pregame ritual.

Gaudreau, 31, was killed alongside his 29-year-old brother Matthew Gaudreau after the two were struck by a car while riding bicycles in August.

Merzlikins and Gaudreau played two seasons together in Columbus after the former Calgary Flames forward joined the Blue Jackets ahead of the 2022-23 season.