“Greatly Comforted”: Gaudreau Family Speaks Out After Losing Johnny and Matthew in Tragic Accident

The sports world continues to mourn the death of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, days after the hockey players were killed by an alleged drunk driver on the eve of their sister’s wedding while bicycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey.

The pair’s uncle, Jim Gaudreau, took to social media posting a message of hope as the family prepares to bury them.

Jim said the outpouring of support from family, friends, fans, and even strangers has “greatly comforted” the grieving family.

“As we embark on the journey of laying John and Matty to rest, we are greatly comforted by all those who have visited these growing memorials and who have left messages of love, prayers, thoughts of kindness as well as jerseys, skates, sticks, pucks, flowers, candles and so many other tokens of remembrance,” he wrote.

The deaths of the Gaudreau brothers knocked the family off their feet. A weekend that was supposed to be full of joy and celebration — they were due to attend their sister’s wedding last weekend — quickly turned into one of sadness and mourning.

“We have been brought to our knees, but in that process, we have witnessed and are reminded that we have been blessed with everything everyone has done for us through the lives John and Matty lived,” their uncle shared in a touching Facebook post.

“We are gaining strength and WE WILL stand up once again. We are Gaudreau Strong!”

Johnny Gaudreau spent 11 seasons in the NHL, winning the Lady Byng Trophy in 2017. Back in his college days at Boston College, he also took home the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

Drafted by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round, 104th overall, in 2011, Gaudreau went on to rack up 743 points in 763 games over his career with both the Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Matthew Gaudreau played for the Omaha Lancers in the USHL and then went on to Boston College before starting his pro hockey career. He spent three seasons bouncing between the AHL and ECHL, racking up 100 points in 127 ECHL games.

Most recently, he’s been the head coach for the hockey team at Gloucester Catholic High School, which both he and Johnny attended.

Memorials have popped up at the home arenas of both the Flames and the Blue Jackets. Fans have also left hockey sticks outside their homes to honor the brothers.

“We are consoled by the memorials on each of your doorsteps, in your yards and on your cars,” the statement continued. “We have heard and seen the countless moments of silence and heartfelt messages by so many professional athletes, organizations and other athletic leagues, by every single person in private, along with the extremely heartfelt messages from broadcasts, media and each and every single one of you along with the random acts of kindness and compassion by complete strangers.

“The endless stream of food, flowers, friends and family on our doorstep. And, by all the acts of kindness and compassion that we aren’t even aware of.”

Jim also called everyone who remembered Johnny and Matthew and offered their support as a part of the family.

“We hear you, we see you, we thank you, we are ever so grateful and we are humbled by all of it,” he wrote. “We are blessed by each and every one of you and your acts of caring, kindness and compassion. You are our family!”

Johnny, 31, leaves behind his wife Meredith and their children, Noa, 1, and Johnny Jr., 6 months. Matthew, 29, leaves behind his wife Madeline and their unborn son.

“John and Matty…… Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hands,” their uncle ended his post.