The passing of NHL players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau is a profound loss, yet their family is striving to create something positive in their memory.
This week, the Gaudreau family contributed to the installation of an adaptive playground designed for children with special needs at the Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, New Jersey.
The playground is named “The Wings of Hope and Chrysalis Corner of the Gaudreau Brothers.”
Jane Gaudreau, the brothers’ mother, expressed her thoughts at the unveiling, saying, “When the sign was revealed, I just kept thinking about how thrilled the kids would be to see this. This school has been part of our lives for years, and we are truly honored to have the playground dedicated in their memory.”
This playground was made possible through funds raised from The Gaudreau Family 5K. The first event took place last year, with the second one held just last month.
According to Gaudreau, the event successfully generated “98 percent” of the funding needed for the playground, which also saw community support in its completion.
In August 2024, tragedy struck when Johnny and Matthew were riding their bikes in New Jersey and were hit by a suspected drunk driver. At that time, Johnny was playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets after spending nearly ten years with the Calgary Flames. Meanwhile, Matthew followed a similar path, playing college hockey at Boston University before joining teams in the AHL and ECHL.
Earlier this year, Johnny was posthumously honored when the U.S. men’s hockey team, believed to include him, won a gold medal at the Milan Olympics. After the victory, team members posed for photos with jerseys displaying No. 13 and alongside Gaudreau’s children.
Sean M. Higgins, who has been charged in connection with the incident that claimed the Gaudreaus’ lives, is facing six criminal charges, including two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter. A motion to dismiss some of these charges was rejected last month, and a court hearing is set for June 16.
