Ex-BC Coach Offers Condolences After Johnny Gaudreau’s Death

The hockey world woke up to heartbreaking news that Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were killed by an alleged drunk driver.

According to New Jersey State Police, the brothers were riding bicycles when the driver tried to pass two other vehicles and hit both Gaudreaus. Johnny Gaudreau was 31 and Matthew Gaudreau was 29; they were planning on attending their sister’s wedding Friday.

“It’s so devastating,” former Boston College coach Jerry York said, per the Boston Herald. “You wake up in the morning and it’s a brand new day and then you get hit with something like this and it changes everything. So sad.”

Both brothers played under York at BC. Johnny Gaudreau earned the nickname “Johnny Hockey” with his stellar play that helped the Eagles win the national championship in 2012.

“He was just such an unimposing, unassuming guy when he walked into our locker room,” York said. “A small guy, shy. And the next thing you know he’s the focal point of the whole hockey world. It’s just devastating for his whole family. His parents, Jane and Guy, they traveled all over and barely missed any of their games. Just great people. And it’s so sad that they were going to their sister’s (wedding). It’s terrible for their whole family. And then, of course, it’s a tragedy for those who followed him in hockey, whether it was at BC or in the National Hockey League or USA Hockey.”

He continued his success with the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Matthew Gaudreau played for the Bridgeport Sound of the AHL after his Hockey East career and played for the Worcester Railers of the ECHL during the 2021-22 season.

The Boston Bruins were among many others in the NHL world to also offer their condolences to the Gaudreau family.