It’s been one week since former ECHL player Matthew Gaudreau and his brother Johnny were struck and killed by a car while bike riding near their Salem County, New Jersey Home. But the hockey world is still stunned and in mourning by their sudden, tragic deaths.
Johnny, 31, played for the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets. While he never reached the NHL, Matthew, 29, played in the ECHL from 2017-22, appearing in 127 games split between the Reading Royals and Worcester Railers. The two were also teammates at Boston College.
On Wednesday night, thousands of fans in Columbus and Calgary gathered to remember the brothers in separate candlelight vigils.
At Nationwide Arena, home of the Blue Jackets, the pair were honored by 13 minutes and 21 seconds of silence. Those numbers represented their jersey numbers: the 13worn by Johnny and 21 worn by Matthew.
In Nationwide Arena’s east plaza, a shrine to the Gaudreaus was erected the day after the accident. Before the ceremony, which lasted 35 minutes, fans left flowers, cards and other mementos.
Numerous Blue Jackets players along with general manager Don Waddell, spoke while a video board above a parking garage showed Johnny, Matthew and their families. Clocks mounted on the entrance marquees began counting off toward 13:21. The vigil concluded at sunset.
In Calgary, fans gathered at the west stairs of the Scotiabank Saddledome, with Johnny’s No. 13 projected on the building’s façade. Flames president and CEO Robert Hayes, general manager Craig Conroy, franchise icon Lanny McDonald and other current players took turns addressing the crowd. A 13-minute period of silence was punctuated with fans raising flashlights shining from cell phones.
During his ECHL career, Matthew posted 100 points (35-65-100). He also skated in the AHL in Bridgeport and Stockton, scoring five points (1-4-5) in 22 games.
“The ECHL and its member teams mourn the loss and express their condolences to the family and friends of former Worcester Railers and Reading Royals forward Matthew Gaudreau, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 29,” the league said in a statement released last Friday.
The Blue Jackets will hold a memorial service for both brothers September 9 at 12 Pm ET via live stream. Contributions in both their memories can be made to the John & Matthew Gaudreau Foundation c/o Lewis Gross Sports Management, 560 Sylvan, Suite 3070, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up for Matthew’s wife, Madeline, and baby boy. All donations will go toward covering funeral costs and the baby.
