On a poignant Monday at Philadelphia Flyers training camp, John Tortorella welcomed an unexpected guest to assist with drills — Guy Gaudreau, a former hockey coach and father of the late John and Matthew Gaudreau.
The Flyers, showing their gratitude, tapped their sticks in appreciation as Gaudreau, who had coached at Hollydell Ice Arena and Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, took to the ice to lend a helping hand during practice. At the end of the skate, the players shook Gaudreau’s hand and expressed their thanks for his contribution.
Tortorella, touched by the gesture, shared, “He was hesitant at first, and we kind of let him go at his timetable. I think it worked out really well today. I gave him my camp book. We’re going to check in next week and see if we can get him out here a couple more times and have him be part of it. I don’t want it to be, ‘Just come out here.’ I want him to be part of it. I think it will be therapeutic for him to be around us and run some drills.”
The Flyers head coach, who had never crossed paths with Gaudreau before, emphasized that Gaudreau would always be welcomed back to lend his expertise. “I never met Johnny and Matt in my travels as coach,” Tortorella shared. “But their family’s here. Horrific situation going on. He’s a coach. He’s done some great work with some of the youth out here. I figured it’s perfect just to get him in with us.”
Tortorella lightened the moment by sharing a joke about Gaudreau giving him a hard time for pushing players to skate harder during practice. “A lot of people know him in the organization because of his reputation,” Tortorella added.
The heartfelt connection between Tortorella and the Gaudreau family was further evidenced when the Columbus Blue Jackets star attended the brothers’ funeral in a Philadelphia suburb last month. Reflecting on the strength displayed by the wives of the brothers, Tortorella expressed, “No one can imagine. No one can. I’m hoping to get to know the family. I think a number of coaches want to get to know the family, the girls, Matt’s family. It’s just horrible what happened. It’s still pretty fresh. It’s here. It’s with us. Down the street. We just want to be part of it and try and help.”
The tragic incident that claimed the lives of John and Matthew Gaudreau occurred on Aug. 29 when they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while cycling on a rural road in South Jersey. The driver faces charges of death by auto, reckless driving, as well as the possession and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
In the face of such heartbreak, the hockey community stands together, embracing and supporting the Gaudreau family during this difficult time.
