Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau: One Year in Memoriam

I've never lied to my readers, and I won't start now; I do not want to write this post. Then again, who would want to? It's been one year since we all learned the devastating news that an 'alleged' drunk driver had killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau while riding their bikes. Honestly, 'devastating' doesn't feel like a strong enough word for how I still feel, and how I know many of you all do, too. It had been the evening before their sister's wedding. We already knew that Matthew's wife, Madeline, was expecting their first child, a son later named Trip, but at the funeral, we'd also learn that Johnny's wife, Meredith, had been expecting their third child, another son they named Carter. The fact that both women had healthy babies amid the stress of losing their partners is nothing short of a prayer answered. The strength of these two women is incredible, as they don't just raise their combined four children without the loves of their lives, but continue to build the Johnny and Matthew Foundation in their names. I can say for certain that these two women are stronger than I, and I admire them for it. I was there opening night when Meredith watched her husband's memorial banner go into the rafters of Nationwide Arena, and I've seen every interview she's done; the grace and poise she holds while talking about the worst moment of her life is downright inspired, and I do not know how she does it because every time I watch, I'm a mess. Johnny and Matthew each had a legacy on the ice as hockey players, but their legacy as family men was just as great, as shown by the woman who will ensure they are never forgotten. 

This tragedy showed me how incredible the NHL is as a whole. I lost count of how many teams and individual players honored the brothers. I couldn't tell you how many teams had their father, Guy Gaudreau, take part in practice. I lost count of the number of ceremonial puck drops the family took part in across the league. I've liked more posts than I could even begin to recall, celebrating these two brothers from fans of all NHL teams and minor league teams. When they say hockey is a 'community', they really mean it, and it is one of the few beautiful silver linings in their heartbreak. 

I've shared how much I've cried during every tribute, and how I got to be there on opening night. My mom and I bought tickets a month before the tragedy, because I wanted to see the Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan reunion in person. I hate that I was robbed of that, but I am so grateful I was there for the stunning memorial banner presentation that the Columbus Blue Jackets organization planned before our first home game of the 2024-25 Season. In the tribute video shared that night, a song plays: 'Stargazing' by Myles Smith. To this day, at work, in the car, or on my Spotify playlist, when that song comes up, I always say, 'Hi, Johnny!' I don't know why I started doing it, but it makes me feel miserable and happy at the same time, so I'll never stop. 

My profile picture is me, kneeling between Johnny Gaudreau's memorial stall in the Columbus Blue Jackets locker room and his best friend, Sean Monahan's stall, wearing my Gaudreau jersey. I don't foresee that photo changing anytime soon. I now have a Sean Monahan jersey, too. I always planned to get one the moment he signed with Columbus; now it just means even more to me. I'll be wearing it to my first game in the 2025-26 season. Watching Meredith present the Bill Masterton trophy to Sean Monahan this offseason, knowing how much pain he played through after losing his best friend and having wrist surgery, was a moment I'll never forget. But, although a lot of the attention falls on Sean due to his connection to Johnny, going back to their days in Calgary as teammates, this whole team rallied in Johnny's name and around his family this season. I know it won't stop there, either, and the pride I feel in this team being mine is unmatched.  

Every time I see the numbers 13 and 21, especially together, I think of Johnny and Matthew. I'm proud to say that as the year has gone on, I've thought less about the day they passed and more about the lives they led beforehand. I didn't know much about Matthew, and what I've learned since his passing has made me love him as much as I did Johnny. Every day since, I have worn my Johnny Gaudreau and Blue Jackets gear with an extra dose of pride, knowing that it honors Johnny, Matthew, and this incredible organization they will forever be a part of.