Tragic death of NHL star and brother leaves family, friends and fans with unspeakable grief

By John Knebels

(OSV News) – No words.

As family, friends, teammates, coaches, media, acquaintances and even strangers tried hard to comprehend the devastating tragedy of August 29 that took the lives of National Hockey League star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, there were no words that could adequately express the sense of loss that ripped apart the fabric of a beloved, much-loved family with deep Catholic roots.

According to the New Jersey State Police, the two brothers were riding their bikes on a country road near their home in Salem County, New Jersey, around 8 p.m. when they were struck from behind by a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a drunk driver named Sean Higgins. After both brothers succumbed to their injuries, Higgins was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. The investigation is ongoing.

As dedicated student-athletes at Gloucester Catholic High School in the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, the brothers each left behind a legacy described by relatives and friends as kind, thoughtful, humble, faithful, determined and grateful.

Adding to the unspeakable grief was the brothers' slated to serve as best men at their sister Katie's wedding the next afternoon. Instead, the Gaudreau family tried to comprehend the nightmare of losing Johnny, a married father of a 23-month-old daughter, Noa, and a 6-month-old son, Johnny; and Matthew, whose wife of three years, Madeline, is due to give birth to their first child in December.

Johnny's wife Meredith somehow found strength and shared a heartbreaking yet touching message on the social media platform Instagram.

“Thank you for the best years of my life,” she said. “Even though I lost you, I'm still the luckiest girl in the world because I was yours… You are mine forever and I can't wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”

She called Johnny “the absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving… the best partner to go through parenting with. John never missed a single appointment. He was the best at putting the baby to bed.”

Johnny and Matthew both played college hockey at Boston College, a Catholic Jesuit university. After his sophomore year, Johnny passed up the chance to turn pro because he wanted to play with Matthew, who was about to become a freshman at Boston College.

In an official statement, the Boston College athletic department and men's hockey program called the brothers “shining stars on and off the ice for the Eagles” before listing a number of on-ice accomplishments, including Johnny's critical contribution to Boston College's national championship team in 2012 and his 2014 NCAA Player of the Year honors.

“I am devastated and heartbroken to hear of the passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau,” said former Boston College head coach Jerry York. “Not only were they great hockey players, but they were two outstanding young men. They represented their families and Boston College with the highest class.”

Current coach Greg Brown agreed with this opinion.

“Our sadness cannot be expressed in words at this time,” Brown said. “Johnny and Matty Gaudreau were first-rate members of the Boston College community and left an indelible legacy for our program. We will remember the smiles and joy they brought to everyone in their lives. We are heartbroken for the Gaudreau family. We will miss them terribly.”

Although Matthew competed professionally and later coached at his high school for his final two years, he never played in the NHL. Johnny, on the other hand, played 11 seasons in the NHL – nine with the Calgary Flames and, because he wanted to be closer to home, the last two with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Gaudreau has had an extremely rich NHL career, including seven All-Star nominations. He scored his first-ever NHL goal at the end of the 2013-14 season and was named a finalist for NHL Rookie of the Year in 2014-15. He also won the prestigious Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2016-17. The award is given to a player “who has been judged to have demonstrated the highest form of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high level of playing ability.”

Mary Boyle, former superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Camden from 2004 to 2019, described the Gaudreau clan as “devout Catholic people.” One of the brothers' late grandfathers, John “Guy” Gaudreau, spent much of his time volunteering at St. Edward Parish in Derby Line, Vermont. Their mother, Jane, and sister, Kristen Venello, were employed by St. John of God Community Services, a nonprofit organization for people with special needs. In addition to their mother and sisters, the brothers are survived by their father, Gus.

“I didn't see the family until the end of July,” Boyle said, referring to the eighth annual Johnny Gaudreau golf fundraiser benefiting Gloucester Catholic High School. “It's unbelievable. They're great people. The tragedy of two boys from one family dying just for doing something as innocent as riding a bike … and the night before their sister's wedding, makes it that much more tragic.”

Funeral arrangements have yet to be decided.