This past Thursday night, Aug. 29, 2024, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were fatally hit by a suspected drunk driver. The two were riding bikes on a road in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, the night before their sister’s wedding. Both were slotted to be groomsmen for their sister on her special day. While the devastating and unimaginable reality was dealt to the Gaudreau family and NHL community, “Johnny Hockey,” put New Jersey on the map with the capability of developing NHL-level talent.
Gaudreau’s Connection to the Garden State
Gaudreau grew up in Salem, New Jersey, a small town (roughly 5,000-plus-person population) inside of Carneys Point Township. Being in the southern end of New Jersey, Gaudreau grew up as a Philadelphia sports fan. Therefore, he played for the Philadelphia Little Flyers, a youth hockey club. He spent his 18U eligibility years with Team Comcast, a team in Pennsauken, New Jersey.
The left-handed shot stayed local for his high school hockey days too. He attended Gloucester Catholic High School and was inducted into the New Jersey High School Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. He potted 51 goals, and 57 assists, for 108 points in his last two seasons playing for the Rams. Gaudreau created the Johnny Gaudreau Golf Tournament, with the proceeds helping assist with tuition for his high school. The tournament has been around for eight years and occurs every July. His brother, Matthew, played high school and collegiate hockey with Johnny and eventually stepped in to coach for Gloucester Catholic’s hockey team at the start of the 2022-23 season.
Bruce Shatel, the current long-time coach of Delbarton High School’s varsity baseball and hockey team, faced the Gaudreau brothers in the NJSIAA Non-Public 2010 State Final. He shared his thoughts on both players.
“Everybody in our locker room held their breath every time (Johnny) was on the ice because he could turn a game around in a second,” Shatel said. “What people failed to realize too is Matty was extremely gifted as a player as well. He had very similar traits as Johnny, a tremendous player at our level and to play at Boston College in his brother’s footsteps was a great accomplishment.” (from ‘Gaudreau brothers leave a lasting legacy on N.J. hockey, after tragic passing,’ NJ.COM, Aug. 31, 2024).
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