Columbus goalie Merzlikins names son after teammate

Elvis Merzlikins, a goaltender for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his wife have welcomed their second son, Jaxon John. They named him after Merzlikins' late teammate, Johnny Gaudreau. The announcement came on March 22, 2025, via a post on Instagram from the NHL. In their post, the NHL congratulated the Merzlikins family. They noted that Jaxon’s middle name, John, honors Gaudreau. The couple expressed their gratitude to Riverside Hospital and their supporters. They shared their joy through personal Instagram posts as well. Merzlikins also paid tribute to Gaudreau by designing his goalie mask to feature Gaudreau’s jersey number, ‘13’. The mask includes an image of a plate of buttered pasta, a meal Gaudreau often ate before games. Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny's widow, shared the news on her Instagram story, highlighting the strong bonds within the hockey community. She referred to the family's connection as "Fam," showing that the love and support extend beyond life. Merzlikins shared his excitement about becoming a parent again. He thanked his wife for their new son and the medical staff who supported them. This moment brings him great happiness as he honors his friend and former teammate through his family.