In a tragic turn of events, the hockey community is reeling from the loss of John and Matthew Gaudreau, who were killed by a suspected drunken driver while riding their bicycles in New Jersey. The funeral for the beloved brothers was held at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania, and hundreds of mourners, including players and hockey executives, gathered to pay their respects.
Among the attendees were Columbus Blue Jackets teammate Patrik Laine, Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and longtime executive Brian Burke. Caufield, who will wear No. 13 in honor of John Gaudreau, expressed his grief, saying, “It just shows the true honor and respect that everybody gave them. Just can’t imagine what they’re going through. Just the amount of people that are here today and yesterday, just anything we can do to help.”
John, an All-Star for the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, and Matthew, who played collegiate hockey at Boston College, tragically lost their lives on the eve of their sister’s wedding. The brothers were remembered fondly by the Rev. Tony Penna, who asked the mourners to remember how much John and Matthew were loved and valued during their time on earth.
The tragic accident occurred in Oldmans Township when a man driving an SUV struck the Gaudreau brothers from behind as they were cycling on the road. The driver, who faces multiple charges including death by auto and reckless driving, has been jailed pending a hearing on September 13.
Penna reflected on the sudden loss of the two young men, saying, “We’re here for a short time — sometimes too short a time. We’ve been robbed of something here today — two really wonderful young men who had dreams yet to chase down, who had futures yet to live, who had goals and accomplishments yet to be achieved. How can we not feel bad today?”
The impact of the Gaudreau brothers’ tragic passing has been felt throughout the sports world, with fans and players coming together to mourn their loss. Candlelight vigils were held in Columbus, Ohio, where John signed with the Blue Jackets, and in Calgary, where he began his career. The outpouring of support for the Gaudreau family serves as a reminder of the indelible mark they left on the hockey community.
