JVR opens up about helping the Blue Jackets through Johnny Gaudreau tragedy
James van Riemsdyk understands that he is coming into a locker room that is grieving and is ready to do anything to help.
The Columbus Blue Jackets franchise has had to endure unimaginable tragedies happening to their players with goalie Matiss Kivlenieks passing in 2021 and the recent tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau. The Blue Jackets locker room will be in for some tough days ahead during the upcoming season, something recent signing James van Riemsdyk will try and help his new teammates through.
The 35-year-old signed a one-year deal with Columbus with a cap hit of $900k. The veteran forward spent last season with the Boston Bruins. He scored 11 goals and 38 points while averaging 13:30 in ice time.
In an interview with The Athletic's Aaron Portzline, van Riemsdyk spoke on the realization that he is going into a locker room that is grieving Johnny's tragic passing and he is ready to do anything to help his teammates through the tough days.
«The hockey world, we're a brotherhood. We look after each other and try to be there for each other, and that's going to be an element of this. There are going to be some things here outside of the game of hockey.
«It's not a linear thing, right? There will be good days, but some days are going to be tough. We're going to support each other as much as we possibly can.»
Columbus will be in for some hard days as they still try and grieve this horrific loss. With the upcoming season ahead they will have two angels watching from above.
| POLL | ||
How many points does James Van Riemsdyk score next season? | ||
| 30-40 points | 16 | 25.4 % |
| 40-50 points | 17 | 27 % |
| 20-30 points | 18 | 28.6 % |
| 10-20 points | 12 | 19 % |
| List of polls | ||
