Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew tragically passed nearly one month ago on August 29 while riding their bicycles together in Oldmans Township, NJ, while in town for their sister Katie’s wedding.
The hockey world continues to mourn and feels less bright without the Gaudreau brothers.
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Johnny “Johnny Hockey” Gaudreau electrified with his skill and inspired those lucky enough to watch him play with his child-like enthusiasm for the sport.
During Anaheim Ducks training camp, several players who were close with him or deeply affected by the footprint he left offered their thoughts in remembrance of Johnny Gaudreau
Brian Dumoulin
Ducks defenseman Brian Dumoulin attended Boston College for three seasons between 2009-10 and 2011-12, winning two national championships, the latter one in 2011-12 alongside Gaudreau. The two remained close since, spending as much time together as their off-season schedules would allow.
“That was a game I always looked forward to whenever I got to see Johnny,” Dumoulin said. “Obviously, on the ice, but after the game, seeing his family, just seeing his smile. No matter if he won or if he lost, he was always excited to see me, and I was always excited to see him.”
“Fortunately, I got to spend some time with him this summer and summers in the past,” Dumoulin continued. “We really got some great quality one-on-one time. That gets harder as you go through life. Those memories I’m going to cherish. He’s a guy that always liked to have a good time, was always smiling, always having fun, and never had a bad day. I’m going to try to cherish those moments and make every day fun and enjoyable, just like he would.”
Dumoulin told a story of how he visited Gaudreau before a wedding he was in town for. They played bean bag toss on Gaudreau’s deck by the water at his home in New Jersey. Gaudreau spotted Dumoulin 15 points and beat him 21-15. He then spotted Dumoulin 17 points and beat him 21-17 in three straight games.
“He was a competitor,” Dumoulin said. “He never wanted to lose, and he was confident. A great attribute of his.”
Trevor Zegras
Ducks forward Trevor Zegras idolized Gaudreau growing up as perhaps the most skilled American player of his generation. The two became closer during the summer of 2024, as they both represented the United States at the IIHF World Championship in Prague, Czechia.
“From the age of 12 until the last time I saw him, he was a hockey idol of mine,” Zegras said. “Growing up, I wanted to go to Boston College for multiple reasons, but because John played there. I have a picture of me holding his stick. He’s somebody I always had a lot of appreciation for because of how he played the game of hockey as a smaller guy, somebody who was very skilled.”
“Getting to meet him was the coolest thing ever for me,” Zegras continued. “I’ll always remember the way he treated me from day one. Our rooms were right next to each other at World Championships, and I sat next to him in the locker room. He was such an amazing person.”
Zegras recalled nights in Prague at the World Championships where Gaudreau and his wife, Meredith, would knock on his door because they wanted to hang out or head out to dinner.
“What happened, you can’t even put into words how you feel,” Zegras said. “I still can’t wrap my head around it. I feel like I was just with him. Such good people, him and his wife. What happened, just tragic. Such a good family, such a good person.”
Nikita Nesterenko
Ducks forward Nikita Nesterenko wasn’t always 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds. He recalls a time looking up to Gaudreau, a smaller, skilled forward, because he grew up the same. When attending Boston College, Nesterenko wore Gaudreau’s number 13 and will likely be among the last to do so.
“I still can’t believe it happened,” Nesterenko said. “Growing up, Johnny was my role model because I was a smaller guy. I was the smallest guy on every team, and I loved Johnny.”
“When I got to BC, (number) 13 opened up. I was hesitant,” Nesterenko recalled. “‘Do I want to carry that legacy?’ But I took it because he was my role model.”
Nesterenko participated in the 43 Oak Foundation tournament every summer with Gaudreau. The 43 Oak Foundation is an “organization based on the educational development of young athletes who are either minorities or underprivileged.”
Cutter Gauthier and Drew Helleson
Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier and defenseman Drew Helleson only knew Gaudreau peripherally but could feel Gaudreau’s legacy within the halls of Boston College during their time there.
“I never met Johnny. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity, but the buzz around the rink and when stepping on campus or checking out the facility (during recruiting), he was the first name to come up,” Gauthier said. “‘Johnny Hockey,’ the legacy he had in the sport and how all players looked up to him and how he handled himself.”
“(It’s a) sheer tragedy,” Gauthier continued. “I feel for the Gaudreau family and all those affected by it. I’m hoping the best for them.”
“I was heartbroken with the news, and you feel so bad for his family,” Helleson said. “Every time I read about the situation, it got worse, and it breaks your heart. I get emotional without even knowing him.”
“I didn’t know him too well, but he was around BC,” Helleson emotionally recalled. “When Calgary would come to town to play Boston, he’d come down to the locker room. He left his legacy at BC. Everyone talks about those glory days and his National Championship. It’s just awful. My heart goes out to his wife, kids, and family. It sucks”
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau are survived by their wives, Meredith and Madeline, their parents, Guy and Jane, Johnny’s two children, and both brothers’ future children.
The hole left in the heart of the hockey world from the passing of Johnny and Matthew will never be filled, but they will continue to be loved and continue inspiring forever.
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