Online Fundraiser For Matthew Gaudreau’s Widow Raises More Than $560K As The Sports World Mourns

More condolences are coming in from the hockey community following the murders of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, who were slain last week by a suspected intoxicated driver while riding their bikes in their home state of New Jersey.

Jaromir Jagr shared a video on social media Tuesday showing Gaudreau assisting on his 766th and last goal in the league while they were teammates with the Calgary Flames in 2018.

“It was a beautiful pass above all,” Jagr stated in Czech. “Unfortunately, life may sometimes be unbearably harsh. Thank you for being here, Johnny Gaudreau, and for giving all those guys faith that they, too, can achieve world-class success in the NHL, as you did. My heartfelt sympathies to your family. R.I.P., you and your brother.

Online Fundraiser For Matthew Gaudreau’s Widow Raises More Than $560K As The Sports World Mourns

Donations also kept coming in for Matthew’s widow, Madeline, who is expecting their first child in December. As of 7 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Madeline’s sister, Holland Korbitz, had put up a GoFundMe page that had been confirmed by the online fundraising organization and raised more than $560,000.

Dozens of current and former NHL players, or their significant others, are among the more than 7,800 donors, including $3,000 from the family of New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin and $2,013 from Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars, for a total of $567,127 — far exceeding the initial $30,000 goal.

Cliff Rucker, owner of the ECHL’s Worcester Railers HC, where Matthew played two seasons from 2017 to 2019, is recognized as the top gift at $10,000.

“Maddy, the entire Railers HC family stands shoulder to shoulder with you during this incomprehensibly difficult time for you and your loved ones,” Rucker told me. “You and Matty will always be part of our Railer family, and I hope you can feel the love and support we are sending your way.”

The Gaudreau brothers were riding on a road in Oldmans Township on Thursday night when a man driving an SUV in the same direction attempted to pass two other vehicles and hit them from behind at 8 p.m., according to New Jersey State Police. They were pronounced dead on the scene.

According to police, Sean M. Higgins, 43, was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and charged with two charges of death by auto, reckless driving, possession of an open container, and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. On Tuesday, authorities stated that no other information regarding the case, including Higgin’s blood alcohol level, will be disclosed at this time.

No information was available concerning a funeral or memorial service, either public or private.

“As we embark on the journey of laying John and Matty to rest, we are greatly comforted by all those who have visited these growing memorials and who have left messages of love, prayers, thoughts of kindness as well as jerseys, skates, sticks, pucks, flowers, candles and so many other tokens of remembrance,” Jim Gaudreau, our uncle, wrote on Facebook. “The memorials console us on your doorsteps, yards, and cars. We have heard and seen countless moments of silence and heartfelt messages from so many professional athletes, organizations, and other athletic leagues, as well as every single person in private, as well as extremely heartfelt messages from broadcasts, media, and every one of you, as well as random acts of kindness and compassion by strangers.

On Friday, fans in Columbus created a tribute outside the Blue Jackets’ downtown arena using hockey sticks, flowers, and other keepsakes. Flames fans in Calgary, Alberta, paid tribute with words and Gaudreau’s number 13 scribbled in chalk on the ground outside the Saddledome.

Online Fundraiser For Matthew Gaudreau’s Widow Raises More Than $560K As The Sports World Mourns

The Blue Jackets have invited supporters to a candlelight vigil outside Nationwide Arena on Wednesday night. The event will include brief words from team personnel and 13 minutes and 21 seconds of silent commemoration for Johnny and Matthew’s jersey numbers.

The Blue Jackets’ general manager, Don Waddell, and players will talk with reporters on Wednesday afternoon.

Wayne Gretzky revealed over the weekend that the terrible death had crushed him, his wife Janet, and their family.

“We are sending our love, thoughts, and prayers to the Gaudreau family,” Gretzky wrote on social media. “We lost two great young men who were loved and had a significant presence both on and off the ice.” Johnny and Matthew, you will be remembered and missed.

Their deaths on Friday, the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding in Philadelphia, were more than just hockey-related. During ESPN’s college football broadcast of the game Monday night between Florida State and Boston College, where the Gaudreau brothers attended and played hockey together a decade ago, play-by-play announcer Bob Wischusen spoke somberly of Johnny and Matthew.

“The entire National Hockey League, as well as the Boston College community and so many others, were devastated Friday when we learnt of the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau,” Wischusen told the crowd. “Our hearts are shattered, and we send every good thought and prayer to their wives, Johnny Gaudreau’s young children, Matthew’s child on the way and all of their family and friends.”

SOURCE | AP