The whole hockey world has been in mourning the past two days since the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. The two hockey players were killed by a reckless driver who hit them while they were riding bicycles, just a day before they were supposed to be groomsmen in their sister’s wedding. The tragedy of their loss has brought an outpouring of support from members of the hockey community all over the world, many sharing touching stories of their time with the brothers.
For some Detroit Red Wings players, the loss hit close to home. The brothers were some of their teammates and friends across the tight-knit hockey community. Some Detroit players shared their love and stories of the Gaudreau brothers on social media after their passing.
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin posted a photo of himself and Johnny Gaudreau at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where they were teammates on Team North America as well as three Men’s World Championship teams in 2017, 2018 and 2019. They also played against each other many times over the course of their NHL careers.
“Sending my love to Meredith, Madeline, and the entire Gaudreau family,” Larkin wrote. “I will forever cherish all the good times we had and always remember how kind you were to me the first time we met. I will forever miss watching you play. #13
Some other Detroit players reposted graphics and tribute posts on their social media accounts, including Tyler Motte and William Lagesson.
In the wake of a tragic loss, some Red Wings players have also taken the time to support the family Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau leave behind. A GoFundMe was created to support the Gaudreau family, particularly Matthew Gaudreau’s wife Madeline, who is pregnant with their first child. Detroit forward Andrew Copp and former Red Wing Zach Aston-Reese were among the 4,649 donors to the fund. Those were just the players to make their names public; a number of donations to the fund were anonymously made.
Those wishing to donate to the GoFundMe can find it here.
