Remembering Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau

How do you begin to articulate the seismic shock of Gaudreaus’ absence in our Philadelphia and South Jersey communities? How do you begin to capture the essence of Johnny and Matthew’s lives?

The hockey community is in disbelief, but we stand together in this moment of loss. The loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau is too heavy to bear, but we find strength in our unity. 

New Jersey natives Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew were struck and killed by a driver in an SUV Thursday night while riding their bicycles near their South New Jersey homes, according to authorities.

Johnny, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were riding bicycles shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 29, on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township, in southern New Jersey near the Delaware River, just south of the Commodore Barry Bridge, when they were struck by a driver, who is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The driver was attempting to pass two slower-moving vehicles, passing an SUV on the right-hand side, before striking the two cyclists, officials said.

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, was a proud husband to his wife Meredith, with whom he had two children, a daughter, Noa, and son, Johnny. 

Johnny grew up in Carneys Point Township in Salem County and attended Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester City. After high school, Johnny attended Boston College.

Matthew Gaudreau, 29, was a loving husband to his wife, Madeline Gaudreau. The couple were expecting their first child, and a GoFundMe has been set up in support of their family. 

Matthew grew up in Carneys Point Township in Salem County and attended Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester City. Matthew also attended Boston College.

The two brothers played at the Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell, where they both grew up skating. Matt recently also coached at the rink—the community made a memorial outside the rink honoring the beloved brothers. 

Johnny, the eldest of the brothers, played hockey for Boston College, and in his first year, he won the National Championship in 2012. After three seasons and being drafted by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Level Draft, Johnny played nine seasons for the Flames before signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Johnny played 763 games in his career, making seven all-star appearances. There was a reason why Johnny was given the nickname “Johnny Hockey.” 

In response to the news of both Johnny and Matthew’s passing, the Columbus Blue Jackets released a statement Friday morning:

“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.

“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him. Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy.”

Johnny was an inspiration to many in the region. Everyone knew the name “Johnny Gaudreau” and cheered for him regardless of what team he was on. Johnny was a great player on the ice and an even better person off the ice. He supported the 43 Oak Foundation, which spread education through ice hockey for underprivileged and diverse youth around the NYC metropolitan areas. Johnny also remembered his hometown by having the Johnny Gaudreau Scholarship Golf Tournament, which raised money toward scholarships at Gloucester Catholic High School. 

During his rookie season, Johnny contacted the KidSport Society of Calgary. This charity helped low-income families cover registration and equipment costs for young athletes. Johnny donated $1,000 for every goal he scored that season as the Calgary Flames Foundation matched each of Johnny’s donations.

In his rookie season, Johnny scored 24 goals, and with the match of the Flames, there was a hefty $48,000 donation made for KidSport. Besides donations, Johnny would often be involved with the kids in the program, where he made a huge impact as he got them a club box to play games and hung out with them. Johnny also did a lot at the Alberta Children’s Hospital as well.

Matty played at Boston College from 2013 to 2017. Following his time at Boston College, Matthew went on to play five seasons of hockey with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, Worcester Railers, ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, Stockton Heat, who were formally the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames, Tyringe SoSS, and was able to play for the Reading Royals who were the ECHL affiliate of his hometown team, the Philadelphia Flyers. 

After hanging up his skates playing professional hockey, Matty returned to his roots to coach the boy’s hockey team at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey for the past two seasons.

The Philadelphia Flyers released a statement Friday acknowledging the great loss and reflecting on the roots of Johnny and Matthew.

“Johnny and Matthew were deeply rooted in the Philadelphia and New Jersey community, where they spent their entire childhood on the ice… Throughout all of their success in the hockey world, both continued to give back to our community. Johnny and Matthew, as well as the entire Gaudreau family, have made a sizable difference in the lives of so many in the Philadelphia area to learning and growing to love the sport of hockey. 

“Johnny and Matthew were, and always will be, beloved and cherished members of the Flyers community and entire hockey world.”