I wanted to make this post to highlight how much the Gaudreau family means to not only fans of professional hockey, but also to the hockey community that they have fostered over the past few decades in southern New Jersey.
Guy Gaudreau, father to both Johnny and Matthew is responsible for a lot of summertime memories for myself growing up – and I could imagine for many others. Whether it was the Gatorade tournament, summer camps, skills training sessions, and many other events… Guy was the head of many youth hockey programs over the years and helped to grow and develop the love and passion for the sport in south jersey tremendously.
Johnny and Matty were always involved in the community even after they moved on. Every summer they would compete in the Checking for Charity tournament held at the flyers practice arena. Johnny and Matty would come out to Guy’s training sessions and work with the kids.
If you were a hockey player in the area at the time Johnny was growing up, you knew who he was. If he was a rival, you respected him. If you were younger than him, you tracked his career with diligence, hoping to follow in his footsteps. He was south Jersey’s hockey hero.
I’m not sure where the direction of this post is supposed to go but I want to share how much of an impact this family has had without Johnny having ever played for Philly.
Rest in peace to two amazing gentlemen, and condolences to the family who’s responsible for the dreams of many.
by UMining
9 Comments
It’s so nice they included a goalie stick so that he can give it to Matiss
Ugh. Seeing that rink is gut wrenching – that could be any kids local rink. A reminder that these two were just kids who loved playing hockey who grew up. They’re your kid, your neighbor, you nephew.
This is so unbelievably fucked it’s hard to fathom.
Donate to Matthew’s family here, confirmed from Spittn Chiclits
https://x.com/puckreportnhl/status/1829607677904986522?s=46
https://gofund.me/e6b42e17
Guy was my learn to skate/play hockey coach at Hollydell back in the 90s. I feel absolutely heartbroken for him and his family. RIP Johnny and Matthew.
I’m from New Jersey. This is an awful day for our state and especially our hockey community, Johnny is easily the best player to come from here.
My heart goes out to their family. His poor 6 month old son and two year old daughter, his brothers wife who is expecting their 1st child, his mom,dad,sister, and all of his family. R.I.P. to a great player❤️
I hope the driver goes to jail for life.
Families were torn apart because of him
This day sucks man.
I ve been a hockey coach in New Jersey for 30 years. My travels took me down to to Holydell many times, when my sons were playing squirts they were God smacked over everything Johnny Hockey. They were looking at John’s high sweater hanging in the rafters when Guy asked them if they wanted to go into his office and he sat with them telling them stories and showing them photos documenting his boys journey. This even became a core memory for my boys that they still talk about. When I heard the news this morning about what happened to Guy’s two sons my heart sank. The kindness and love he showed my boys and my family that one day, I am sending ten fold kindness and love to his family tonight.