The Columbus Blue Jackets now have a so-called “Johnny Skate” at the end of practice. It is a shot that someone makes from the other side of the ice towards the other goal. Get it, players skate one lap. Miss it, players skate three laps.

That’s just like in 1 and 3. 13. Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey number.

And the shooter Monday missed it on purpose. No one minded since it was Johnny Gaudreau’s father.

Guy Gaudreau – the father of late brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau – was a guest at the Blue Jackets practice in Columbus, a day before the team’s home opener against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. He skated around with a few players, tapping his stick on the ice to encourage players as they skated by and fist bumping everyone before the session ended.

“He loves the game, loves hockey,” Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. “It was a pleasure to have him there.”

Guy Gaudreau is a former field hockey coach at Hollydell Ice Arena and Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey. Johnny Gaudreau — a star who would have been entering his third season with the Blue Jackets and his 11th full NHL season — and Matthew Gaudreau were killed on Aug. 29 when police say they were hit by a suspected drunk driver while driving bikes were on a rural road in South Jersey on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding.

“It’s great to have Guy here,” Blue Jackets forward Sean Kuraly said. “It reminds you of exactly the same thing John would do.”

Monday wasn’t Guy Gaudreau’s first time on the ice this season; he was a guest with the Philadelphia Flyers last month. Evason said the team got the idea to include Guy Gaudreau in the workout because of the gesture Flyers coach John Tortorella made.

Tuesday night will be emotional for the Blue Jackets – for the entire NHL, actually. Tributes to the Gaudreau brothers have poured in from across the hockey world in recent weeks. In Calgary, where “Johnny Hockey” began his NHL career, goaltender Dustin Wolf’s mask is now something of a memorial to the Gaudreau brothers, featuring both their jersey numbers and Johnny Gaudreau in a Flames uniform. It even includes purple Gatorade and Skittles, two of his favorite treats.

Guy Gaudreau was asked on Monday if he wanted to address the team and initially declined, but eventually chatted with players. And in case there was any doubt about whether he enjoyed being on the ice with Johnny’s club on Monday, he had a question for Evason after practice.

The question: Do you have morning skating on Tuesday?

When told the Blue Jackets were, Guy Gaudreau said he’d be for that too.

“He just wants to be around,” Evason said. “It’s fantastic.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.