Matthew Tkachuk forced to release a statement before the Panthers game tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets are getting ready to host their home opener against the Florida Panthers tonight and they are set to hold a brief memorial for the lives that were lost in Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau.

Both of the teams will be wearing Johnny Gaudreau jerseys to warmup and then there will be a special ceremony before puck is dropped.

Matthew Tkachuk will be absent from the Panthers lineup like yesterday when the Boston Bruins faced The Panthers and Paul Maurice announced that Matthew Tkachuk is out with an illness. Tkachuk will also miss the ceremony that will be for his long-time teammate, Johnny Gaudreau.

Both Tkachuk, and Gaudreau together were a dynamic duo during their time in Calgary together, but an illness is what is preventing Matthew Tkachuk to not be able to travel with the Florida Panthers, and unfortunately he will miss his good friends ceremony.

Matthew Tkachuk issued a statement before puck drop, after not being able to make it to the game tonight:

Watching the Tkachuk, Gaudreau, and now Boston Bruins forward Elias Lindholm play together in Calgary was insane, and the connection Matthew Tkachuk and Gaudreau had was unbreakable.

The hockey community is still saddened by loss the of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

As seen on Hockeyfeed:
Matthew Tkachuk is forced to release a public statement before tonight's game