The sports world was shocked to learn of the tragic passing of National Hockey League star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau on Friday, Aug. 30. The two were killed in a car accident when a driver under the influence collided with them while he was trying to pass another car.
“Johnny played the game with great joy, which everyone felt when they saw him on the ice,” the Columbus Blue Jackets said in a statement on Friday morning. “He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets.”
Many fans made makeshift memorials at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary and Nationwide Arena in Columbus to honor Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau, whose legacies will be remembered by both hockey fans and players alike.
“He will be remembered fondly in Calgary, where he played his first nine seasons with the Flames from 2013-14 to 2021-22, emerging as one of our League’s brightest young stars while compiling the franchise’s fifth-highest career points total,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
“His loss also will be felt profoundly in Columbus, the city where he chose to settle his family and where he was one of the respected, veteran leaders of a club building toward the playoffs.”
While Johnny Gaudreau was lighting up the NHL with his skills, his brother was coaching at the junior levels of the game, helping the stars of tomorrow sharpen their skills.
“After playing for the USHL’s Omaha Lancers and at Boston College, Matty spent three years playing professionally,” the Philadephia Rebels said in a statement. “Hollydell benefited tremendously from Matty’s decision to come home and give back to the game through his coaching career.”
Skatin’ Rebels defenseman Jaxsen Wyatt and forward Oliver Band were under his coaching in Philadelphia.
“He was an unbelievable guy, and he made coming to the rink easy every day,” said Wyatt.
“I didn’t get a lot of time to spend in Philadelphia when I was coached by Matt,” Band said. “But, you know, it felt like a long time, like I knew him for a long time.”
Wyatt and Band reflected on how he treated them as his teammates, describing him as a players’ coach, helping them deepen their love for the game.
“Sometimes, when our head coach would get on us, and he was a bit of a hardo, in a good way, Matty was always there to, you know … uplift the spirits,” Wyatt said, reflecting on his time with the Philadelphia Hockey Club, where Matthew coached Wyatt from 2021 to 2022. “He was just such a good light in the locker room, and he’ll be greatly missed.”
Matthew Gaudreau then became an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Rebels, where he coached Band in 2022-23.
“He’s a guy that made it easy, especially the hard days when you’re losing games and your team’s struggling,” Band said. “You know you’re getting bagged on the goal line. He’s the guy that keeps it light and is just a positive guy to be around.”
Matthew Gaudreau’s overall attitude towards coaching and the game was helpful when being on the ice seemed tough, a sentiment shared with his brother Johnny Gaudreau.
“Johnny came out a couple of times and skated with us before he went to Columbus,” Band said. “And, obviously, we all loved it when he was dangling everybody and making them look stupid.”
Wyatt’s relationship with Matthew Gaudreau involved his brother’s time with the Calgary Flames, where Johnny Gaudreau became a franchise legend for the Alberta team. He tallied 609 points there, including a spectacular 2021-22 campaign where he scored 121 points and the series-winning overtime goal in Game 7 versus the Dallas Stars.
“It was pretty cool. I mean, I’m an Oilers fan, so, and obviously, with the Flames, we’d go back and forth, and we would always joke about that stuff,” Wyatt said.
Matthew Gaudreau and Johnny Gaudreau were shining examples of a sport that requires physical and mental toughness, like hockey, can also be lighthearted and fun. Their impact and legacy on their game will live on in those who were fortunate enough to meet them.
“I’m going to try and be myself, as tough or as easy as that may seem,” Band said. “It’s tough on some days just to come to be happy, you know, spread positivity, love all the guys when things aren’t going your way, or something off the ice is happening that not many people know about.”
“Honestly, it’s just going to the rink every day with a smile on your face and bringing the energy every day,” Wyatt commented. “Because, you know, I never know when the last time I’ll be able to wear the jersey or play the game I love will be.”
