Remembering Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau: ‘Those two guys … elevated everything’

Remembering Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau: ‘Those two guys … elevated everything’

The sensation earlier than follow was once other as soon as Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau have been on the rink. It modified as the 2 brothers fasten their skates.

For the 3 years Jerry York coached Johnny at Boston School and the 4 he had Matthew, he’d want his gamers neatly with, “Hey, let’s have a good practice today.”

The Gaudreau boys by no means wanted the encouragement.

“Johnny and Matt both brought so much excitement to practice,” York stated on a Friday morning telephone name in a while later listening to the scoop {that a} automotive struck and killed the brothers in Oldmans Township, N.J., on Thursday evening. “The minute those two guys stepped on the ice it just elevated everything.”

That was once entrance of thoughts for York as he remembered Johnny and Matthew.

However so too have been alternative reminiscences of the “inseparable pair,” who turned into “more than friends to everyone” they met, consistent with York.

He idea first on Friday in their oldsters, Man and Jane, texting them once he heard.

He remembered how later shifting onto the NHL — first with the Calgary Flames and upcoming the Columbus Blue Jackets — Johnny stayed in contact with everybody, “whether it was a fourth-line teammate or the equipment manager,” all the time achieving out and accommodating any person who requested for tickets.

He remembered his specifically similar dating with teammate Kevin Hayes and the nights spent on the Hayes folk house in Dorchester, Collection.

And he remembered the years of go back visits each time Johnny and the Flames have been in Boston.

“We saw him an awful lot,” York stated. “And Johnny was so unimposing. You’d never pick him out when he walked into a room. You’d never say, ‘This is an Olympic player.’ … There were so many great qualities about him that meant more to me than how well he could move a puck around.”

Response to the deaths of Johnny and Matthew got here from across the NHL and sports activities international as the scoop unfold on Friday morning, together with Canadian Top Minister Justin Trudeau. “Johnny Gaudreau may have come up from the States, but hockey fans in Calgary, and across Canada, will remember him as one of our own,” Trudeau tweeted.

Los Angeles Lakers celebrity LeBron James expressed his injury, writing on X: “May Johnny and Matthew fly high, guide/guard and bless their family/s from the heavens above.”

“I am sick to my stomach,” Minnesota Wild lecturer John Hynes stated of the lack of Johnny, who he coached on the Global Championship in Would possibly. “I had the opportunity to coach Johnny several times with USA Hockey. Johnny was a great kid. Personable. Had a big heart. Teammates loved him. He loved the game and loved to represent USA Hockey on the international stage. He will be missed as a person and player. Thoughts and prayers for his wife and his family.”

Edmonton Oilers ahead and previous Flames teammate Derek Ryan informed The Athletic: “I’ll always remember and cherish the years that I got to play with Johnny in Calgary and with Team USA. His ability on the ice was amazing to behold, and I know that he’s inspired innumerable small, undersized hockey players to strive for greatness. I feel horrible for Meredith, his two young children and the entire Gaudreau family. Life just isn’t fair sometimes. In my mind, Johnny Hockey is looking down on his family now wearing a pair of heavenly hockey skates. The legend of Johnny Hockey will never be forgotten.”

Blake Coleman posted a photo with Johnny on Instagram and captioned it, “It’s hard to find the words so I’ll keep it short. One of the best guys to be around, always had that big smile on your face and never passed up a good time.”

Jarmo Kekäläinen, the previous Columbus common supervisor who signed Johnny, tweeted: “I am deeply saddened by the news I received late last night. R.I.P. Johnny and Matthew, fine young men with beautiful family that seemed so close … gone way too soon. My condolences to the Gaudreau family and strength in their sorrow. This is devastating.”

Jay Feaster, the previous Flames common supervisor who drafted Johnny, stated in a observation: “I am heartbroken by this tragic news. I will always remember Johnny from the offseasons when Craig Conroy and I would make our annual trip to New Jersey to meet with Johnny and his mom, Jane, and Dad, Guy. We always tried to convince him to leave school early and turn pro, and the entire time Johnny would look out the window of the meeting room at the rink his dad ran and stare longingly at the ice. Finally, I would ask if he would prefer to be out there, and he give me that big grin. I would tell him to go ahead, and we would visit with his mom and dad and family adviser. His smile was infectious, and he just loved playing the game. My heart is broken for his entire family, his wife, his young children and all of us who knew him and loved him. The one thing I take some comfort in is knowing he and his brother have already found a shinny game in Heaven. RIP Johnny Hockey. You will be greatly missed.”

Longtime hockey exec Brian Burke additionally shared his memories on X: “I was lucky enough to have Johnny with the Calgary Flames and with USA Hockey, and it cannot be overstated just what a joy it was for everyone involved to have Johnny Gaudreau on their team. … What I will remember most was his happiness, enthusiasm, and kindness that radiated out through the locker room every day.”

Grieving lovers memorialized the brothers, from their early life rink to the Saddledome in Calgary and National Area in Columbus:

(Picture of Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau celebrating Boston School’s Beanpot Championship in 2014: Richard T. Gagnon / Getty Photographs)

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *