Through charity & coaching, Gaudreau legacy endures in South Jersey, beyond (2024)

As the hockey world grieves the loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, the South Jersey community has come together to remember and celebrate their lives.

Mention the Gaudreau brothers here, and you can expect glowing comments about their humility and respectful nature. South Jersey's hockey families will tell you how Johnny Gaudreau would be more than willing to stop for a picture or step onto the ice for a camp with youth players, and how Matthew Gaudreau took the time to help coach, just like his father, helping to usher in the next generations of players.

Beyond this community, fans around the country and to the north in Canada took to multiple platforms to show respect for "Johnny Hockey" and his brother, both killed Aug. 29 while riding bikes by a suspected drunk driver in Salem County.

More: Johnny Gaudreau, brother Matthew hit and killed by suspected drunk driver in South Jersey

Gaudreau teammates react

Many of Johnny Gaudreau's former teammates took to social media to pay their respects to their late friend.

Blake Coleman, who played with him in Calgary, said in a social media post that he felt "completely gutted, the world lost a good one. RIP Johnny."

Rasmus Andersson, another one of Johnny's Calgary teammates, took to the social media platform X to pay his respects, posting a photo from Johnny's wedding.

"Trying to find the right words today is not easy," Andersson wrote. "You were a hell of a hockey player but it’s the person Johnny that always is going to be with me, one of my closest friends, it didn’t matter if we hadn’t spoken in a day or a week we always knew where we had each other! There hasn’t been a dry eye in the Andersson house today we all love you, Johnny. Looking back at this picture with a smile and a tear, we were very hungover laughing about this the next morning."

"To Meredith Noa and Johnny Jr, we’re always here for you and we love you."

Kevin Hayes, a former Philadelphia Flyer and teammate of both brothers at Boston College, posted on Instagram about his friends.

"(Fourteen) years ago I was asked to walk Johnny and Matty around Boston College campus not knowing the friendships I was going to gain. I am so thankful the (Gaudreaus) entered my life. Any person who met them truly was happier," Hayes wrote.

"I can’t fathom the fact that I cannot call John again. He was the most humble, grounded, funniest, stubborn superstar I have ever seen. He was always told he was too small and used it to become the best. He was the best friend, father, husband, brother, son and teammate we all could ask for.

Two-time Stanley Cup winner Greg Wolf, retired NHL referee Tim Peel and the Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback also took to X to honor the Gaudreaus.

Mets, Eagles, Crew & Flyers statements on the Gaudreaus

Few athletes have transcended the boundaries of their own sport, but "Johnny Hockey" was a household name across the sports world.

The New York Mets, Philadelphia Eagles, Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Flyers and many more took a moment to honor the two brothers and pay their respects.

As Tom Mcarthy and John Kruk said on the Aug. 30 Philadelphia Phillies broadcast that pro athletes "are like a brotherhood."

Boston College released a statement as well. Both brothers attended and played their college hockey there, with Johnny Gaudreau winning a national championship and Hobey Baker Award.

Teams that the brothers played for and spent time with released statements honoring the late brothers and sending their condolences to the families.

The Worcester Railers, Bridgeport Islanders and the Reading Royals all posted about Matthew Gaudreau, who was one of their former players.

Johnny Gaudreau's current team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, posted videos and photos of the memorial outside of Nationwide Arena. His first NHL team, the Calgary Flames, also posted videos and photos of Johnny and the memorial that has formed outside of the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Gaudreau fan memorials

In Calgary, Johnny Gaudreau was quickly accepted, scoring his first goal in his first NHL game.

Since choosing Columbus in free agency, Blue Jackets fans also swiftly embraced the star. Some have chosen to pay their respects to Johnny Gaudreau in unique ways, including a solo bagpipe tribute outside of Nationwide Arena.

South Jersey community honors the Gaudreaus at Hollydell

In South Jersey, a pair of hockey sticks outside of Hollydell arena soon grew to a full makeshift memorial.

By Sept. 3, more sticks with messages written on their tape were left outside the arena. Flowers, pucks, pictures and even their favorite flavor of Gatorade were included.

Some placed Skittles at the site as well.

Skittles candy has a special meaning to the family. Guy Gaudreau, their father, would place them on the ice while teaching Johnny Gaudreau to skate, teaching him to bend his knees as he accelerated.

Gaudreau charity work

One way Johnny Gaudreau gave back to the South Jersey was with his charity golf tournament.

The event raised money to help Gloucester Catholic High School students pay for tuition. An article in the Catholic Star Herald noted that the tournament was in its eighth year, and typically raised between $50,000 and $60,000 annually.

During the 2023-2024 season, according to the 1stohiobattery.com, Johnny Gaudreau's former Columbus Blue Jacket teammate Patrik Laine had pledged to donate $1,000 for every point he tallied to theOhioHealth Foundation that supports mental health awareness.

When injuries and other factors led Laine to the players assistance program with the NHL which sidelined him, Johnny Gaudreau stepped up and took up Laine's pledge.

“Mental health is a very important issue, and one that is personal for Patrik, so I am happy to be able to support my teammate and the work that the OhioHealth Foundation is doing in support of men that are struggling in our community," Johnny Gaudreau said.

He was also able to fulfil a Make-A-Wish for a 17-year-old named Alex from North Brunswick, Canada.

Alex, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, made a wish to meet Johnny Gaudreau. His wish was finally granted this last season when he was able to go see Johnny Gaudreau play.

Though Alex had a hard time during his treatment, he had received some FaceTime calls from Johnny Gaudreau, the player he said he looked up to the most.

When they met in person, Johnny Gaudreau gave Alex and his family a tour around the locker room. They drank smoothies and talked.

Alex also was able to attend practice and meet Johnny Gaudreau's teammates.

Alex's father said in the Make-A-Wish video that it was the first time Alex was able to attend a hockey game and come to the United States.

On cue, Johnny Gaudreau scored the game-winning overtime goal that night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Remembering coach Matthew Gaudreau

Jim Mackey, owner of Hollydell Ice Arena and former 1990 Boston Bruins draft pick, focused on Matthew Gaudreau's achievements.

"Matthew did not have the same career as Johnny, clearly, but he still got paid to play hockey," Mackey said. "Not everyone gets to play a sport they love for a living."

Over the last four years, Matthew spent time working at Hollydell Ice Arena and eventually became an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Rebels of the North American Hockey League.

Matthew Gaudreau also spent time coaching at his alma mater Gloucester Catholic for two seasons, following in the footsteps of his father. He continued to volunteer and help at the high school even after stepping down from a formal coaching role.

Mackey said he hopes Matthew Gaudreau isn't overlooked in all of this: "Matthew can't be Johnny's little brother in life and little brother in death."

More: How the Philadelphia Rebels plan to honor the Gaudreau family in South Jersey this month

Johnny and Matthew's family remember their loved ones

In his passing, Matthew Gaudreau leaves behind his wife, Madeline, and their baby, Tripp, who is due to be born in December.

The GoFundMe currently setup by Madeline's sister, Holland Korbitz, has raised more than $500,000, with NHLers, coaches and 8,000 others donating.

More: A GoFundMe for expectant father Matthew Gaudreau has already shattered its goal

Johnny leaves behind his two children: a daughter, Noa, and a son, Johnny. He's also survived by his wife, Meredith.

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's sister, Katie, was to be married Aug. 30, a day after the accident.

More: 'To know these two was to love these two': Gaudreaus speak out after brothers' deaths

Nick Butler is an impact reporter for the Courier Post, the Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times covering community news in South Jersey. Have any tips or stories? Reach out to NButler@Gannett.com. Subscribe to stay in the loop.