Marlie Langer | Writer & Emily Ota | Writer
September 4, 2024
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, American Ice Hockey players, tragically passed away Thursday, August 29th, the day before their sister’s wedding to a drunk driver. Both brothers were biking home in Oldman’s Township, New Jersey, when Sean Higgins, 43, hit and killed them from behind.
The Miami Herald released a statement from younger sister Katie Gaudreau, where she expressed, “The entire world knows there would never have been a John without Matty or Matty without John.” Katie also expressed her gratitude of growing up next to two strong and loving brothers. The duo was known to always be together, which held true up until their very last breath. Matty’s wife, Madeline, was comforted by “knowing they are together, as they always were. I know they are still messing with each other up there and will continue to look over their families.” All of their loved ones would never see them apart, you could always “find them hip to hip,” as Meredith, Johnny’s wife, would say.
Nicknamed “Johnny Hockey” by loving fans, Gaudreau was a professional ice hockey winger who played 11 seasons for the NHL. During the first nine seasons of his career, he scored 210 goals and 399 assists for the Calgary Flames. In 2017, Gaudreau was presented the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, an award representing sportsmanlike conduct and skilled play. In addition to the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, Gaugreau also earned the Hobey Baker Award in 2014, declaring him the best player in the NCAA. That same year, he made the NHL All-Rookie Team and for two consecutive seasons (2012-13, 2013-14), he was named Hockey East Player of the Year. But regardless of his awards, he was known for his spirit and love for the game.
Matthew Gaudreau began his ice hockey career as a winger in Boston College, leading the team in assists and helping them win the 2014 NCAA Hockey East season championship. From 2011-2013, Matty played in the United States Hockey League with the Omaha Lancers. In addition to being an all-star hockey player, Matthew was a loving husband and a soon-to-be father to his unborn son Tripp. Although the families have been torn apart, Madeline knows she and Meredith will support each other and bring up their children side by side, just like Johnny and Matty.
The Gaudreau deaths were a huge shock for many people, especially those who love hockey. One of those in the hockey-loving community is San Clemente High School teacher, Ryan Smith. He recalled waking up Friday morning to see the news all over social media, and “the only thing [he] could think of was his family” and how heavy of a burden they must be carrying. This made him think of how “life is fleeting” and that loved ones could slip away at any moment. He also understood the pain their teams must be going through, dealing with the loss of a teammate whom they had been playing with for many seasons. However, Mr. Smith believes that the NHL will continue to honor the Gaudreau brothers just as they have so far with their memorials and efforts to raise money for their mourning families. This unexpected tragedy is just another reminder about how short life is and how everybody must live it to the fullest up until the very end.
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