In a tragic turn of events, the Gaudreau family has faced immense heartbreak following the loss of John and Matthew Gaudreau, who were killed by a suspected drunk driver on August 29. The devastating accident occurred just a day before their sister Katie's wedding, casting a shadow over what should have been a joyous occasion. The driver involved in the incident is facing multiple charges, including two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, and possession of an open container.
Amid this tragedy, the Philadelphia Flyers' head coach, John Tortorella, has stepped forward to provide support to the grieving family. Tortorella, known for his empathetic and passionate approach, attended the brothers' funeral in a Philadelphia suburb last month. "I thought the two wives were so strong in how they handled themselves. No one can imagine. No one can," Tortorella remarked. "It's just horrible what happened. It's still pretty fresh. It's here. It's with us."
A Community Rallies Together
The Gaudreau family has long been an integral part of the local hockey community. Guy Gaudreau, the father of John and Matthew, has spent years mentoring young players at Hollydell Ice Arena and Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey. His reputation in the hockey world is well-respected, and many within the Flyers organization are familiar with his contributions. "A lot of people know him in the organization because of his reputation," Tortorella said.
In an effort to help Guy during this difficult time, Tortorella invited him to assist with drills during Flyers practices. "He was hesitant at first, and we kind of let him go at his timetable," Tortorella explained. The head coach sees this involvement as potentially therapeutic for Guy, offering him a sense of belonging and purpose during a time of immense loss. "I don't want it to be, 'Just come out here,'" Tortorella added. "I want him to be part of it. I think it will be therapeutic for him to be around us and run some drills."
Guy Gaudreau has already begun to immerse himself in this new role, as seen during a recent practice where Tortorella handed him his camp book. "I think it worked out really well today. I gave him my camp book. We're going to check in next week and see if we can get him out here a couple more times and have him be part of it," Tortorella stated. The team and coaching staff are committed to making Guy feel welcome and valued, providing a supportive environment for him to navigate his grief.
Healing Through Hockey
John Gaudreau, commonly known as "Johnny Hockey," had a distinguished career with the Calgary Flames before signing a lucrative seven-year, $68 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022. Despite this professional success, the recent loss of his brothers has undoubtedly cast a long shadow. However, the hockey community, both in Philadelphia and beyond, continues to rally around the Gaudreau family.
Meredith Gaudreau, John Gaudreau's widow, offered heartfelt words highlighting the healing power of community support. "John & Matty would love this. They're both so proud of their dad, I know this made them smile as they watched down from heaven," she expressed. Her words echo the sentiment of many who believe that participating in hockey activities offers a way to honor the memory of John and Matthew while providing solace to those they left behind.
Tortorella remains sensitive to the situation, emphasizing that the focus is on providing genuine support rather than turning the tragedy into a recurring story. "We don't want it to be an everyday story. We just want to help. To be in a locker room, coach to coach, player to coach, guys talking to him, I just hope it helps a little bit," he said.
As the Flyers and the larger hockey community continue to stand by the Gaudreau family, the focus remains on healing, honoring the memory of John and Matthew, and finding strength through unity. In the end, it is the spirit of camaraderie and support that defines the community, offering a beacon of hope amid the darkest of times.