SEWELL, N.J. – Just days after siblings John and Matthew Gaudreau tragically passed away when they were hit by a vehicle while cycling, shortly before their sister Katie`s wedding, friends visiting parents Guy and Jane during a downpour witnessed a double rainbow appear as the rain stopped, offering a brief moment of solace.
Jane Gaudreau hadn`t felt she had received any signs from her sons since, so on Friday, sitting in their room, she asked for help to ensure good weather for the event planned to honor them. Following a tornado watch scare the previous night, a rainbow materialized Saturday morning, roughly an hour before the sun shone brightly for the first Gaudreau Family 5K Walk/Run and Family Day.
“I felt such relief,” Jane commented. “I thought, ‘Okay, that’s my sign.’”
The event at Washington Lake Park in southern New Jersey drew thousands. This park was a place John and Matthew frequented countless times growing up, and it`s near Hollydell Ice Arena, their first hockey rink. Approximately 1,100 individuals participated in the walk or run on-site, with over 1,300 joining virtually from the U.S., Canada, and internationally.
“It really shows the kind of family they were, their closeness, and how much people enjoyed being around them,” stated Brady Tkachuk, captain of the Ottawa Senators and one of several NHL players who were friends with the Gaudreaus and attended the event. “The turnout from this community and fellow players who traveled here highlights the immense support they have. It speaks volumes about Johnny, Matty, their enduring legacy, and the entire family; they receive so much support because they are truly wonderful people.”
Beyond commemorating the NHL notable, nicknamed “Johnny Hockey,” and his younger sibling, affectionately called Matty by loved ones, the event aimed to generate funds for an accessible playground at Archbishop Damiano School, the workplace of Jane and her daughter Kristen. This particular cause was one John and Matthew had started advocating for, honoring their grandmother Marie, a dedicated staff member at the school for 44 years until her passing in 2023.
After the brothers` deaths, their mother took on this project.
“Jane is dedicated to working with children with disabilities daily and understood the vital need for this playground,” explained family friend Deb Vasutoro, who originally proposed the idea for the 5K. “The playground initiative had been ongoing for what I believe is four or five years, but lacked sufficient funding. Following the boys` passing, Jane sought a meaningful endeavor and decided, ‘Let’s make this playground happen.’ It perfectly combined doing something positive to remember the boys while bringing joy and smiles to children.”
Reverend Allain Caparas from Gloucester Catholic High School, where the brothers were students and played hockey while growing up in Carneys Point, commented that the fundraising for the playground extends the positive influence they had locally.
“Their positive impact continues to reach numerous lives,” Caparas stated. “Johnny and Matthew led meaningful lives, and we are now commemorating that legacy.”
Social media platforms were filled with mentions from individuals in Columbus and Calgary, the NHL cities where John Gaudreau played, and even from places as distant as Ireland and Sweden. Paul O’Connor, whose close bond with the Gaudreau family stems from his son Dalton’s childhood friendship with Matthew, found his inbox constantly filling with notifications about new registrations and contributions.
“It’s just expanding continually,” O’Connor observed. “Those unable to attend in person are participating in a virtual 5K. If they can’t do either, they are simply donating to support the cause.”
As Guy and Jane discussed the event, tears appeared in their eyes. Guy’s address to the assembled participants was both concise and deeply moving.
“I want to express my gratitude to everyone who came,” Guy said after completing the 5K. “Your presence truly means so much to Jane, our daughters, and the whole family. We deeply miss the boys, and having you here to pay tribute to them is incredibly meaningful to us. Thank you.”
The large gathering, initially under rain and later sunshine, included attendees wearing apparel representing various hockey teams and organizations. Tkachuk, for instance, wore a “Johnny Hockey” hoodie displaying Gaudreau’s name and number 13.
Alongside fellow players Erik Gudbranson, Zach Aston-Reese, Tony DeAngelo, and Buddy Robinson, he presented hockey sticks, gathered from multiple vigils held in late August and early September, to the race winners.
“Our family would not have missed this event,” Gudbranson commented, having flown in Friday evening after a visit to Walt Disney World. “The hockey community is very close-knit. This remains a tragedy, and we miss John and Matthew.”
The plan is to make this an annual event, potentially hosting it in Calgary and Columbus in the future.
“We felt this was such a wonderful way to honor the boys that we want to continue doing it,” Jane stated. “I believe it will only improve year after year.”
