The hockey world is in mourning as the Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and a multitude of others prepare to pay their respects at the funeral service for John and Matthew Gaudreau, the beloved brothers who tragically lost their lives in a senseless accident. The Gaudreau brothers, who were well-known within the hockey community, were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding their bicycles in their home state of New Jersey.
The memorial for John and Matthew Gaudreau is set to take place at midday Monday at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania. John, an All-Star player for the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, known affectionately as “Johnny Hockey,” and his brother Matthew, who played collegiate hockey alongside him at Boston College, were both taken from this world far too soon on the eve of their sister’s wedding.
Members of the hockey community from across the country, from Columbus to South Jersey to Boston College, where the Gaudreau brothers played, are expected to join family and friends in honoring their memory at the funeral. John Gaudreau was 31 years old, and Matthew Gaudreau was 29.
The tragic loss of the Gaudreau brothers has reverberated throughout the sports world, with fans and players alike coming together to mourn. Candlelight vigils were held in Columbus, Ohio, where John Gaudreau signed with the Blue Jackets, and in Calgary, where he had played previously. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming.
Don Waddell, general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, expressed that the entire team would be in attendance at the funeral service. Commissioner Gary Bettman and former Boston College coach Jerry York were also expected to pay their respects.
Boston College associate coach Mike Ayres reflected on the Gaudreau brothers, saying, “The way they carried themselves around campus and the enjoyment that they had each and every day around the guys, they were really fun to be around. They were both very, very talented hockey players but they were great people to be around and made everything around them fun.”
A GoFundMe has been set up for Matthew’s widow, Madeline, to help support her and their baby, due in December. The support has been overwhelming, with donations pouring in from nearly 9,000 people, including many NHL players and their families.
Michael Myers of the ECHL’s Worcester Railers, where Matthew played for two seasons, emphasized the importance of supporting Matthew’s family, stating, “He didn’t make the millions that Johnny did and doesn’t have the pension from the Players’ Association. It’s important that the hockey community recognizes that and embraces that to help Matthew’s family.”
The tragic incident occurred when the Gaudreau brothers were cycling on a road in Oldmans Township around 8 p.m. on Aug. 29. A man driving an SUV attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck them from behind, resulting in their untimely deaths. The driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, is facing charges of death by auto, reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. He remains in jail pending a hearing on Sept. 13.
