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The deaths of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were an unimaginable tragedy, but their family is making sure they continue to do a lot of good in their name.
This week, the Gaudreau family helped dedicate a new playground adapted for children with special needs at Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, New Jersey.
The name of the playground? “The corner of the wings of hope and the chrysalis of the Gaudreau brothers.”
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“When the sign was revealed, all I was thinking about was the kids, how they would be so excited to see this,” the brothers’ mother, Jane Gaudreau, said, according to NHL.com. “This school has been a part of our family for a long time. I am very proud to have the playground named in their honor.”
The playground was built with funds raised by The Gaudreau Family 5K. The first annual event was held last year, while the second was held just last month.
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Johnny Gaudreau of the Columbus Blue Jackets watches during warmups before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, on April 7, 2024. (Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)
Gaudreau said the event raised “98 percent” of the funds to build the playground, which was completed with a community build.
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau died after being hit by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bicycles in New Jersey in August 2024.
At the time, Gaudreau was playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets after spending nearly a decade with the Calgary Flames. Meanwhile, Matthew had played college hockey at Boston College, like his brother, and went on to play in the AHL and ECHL.
Gaudreau was honored earlier this year at the Milan Olympics, when the United States men’s hockey team, of which he was likely a part, won gold. The team took photos after the game wearing a No. 13 jersey and with Gaudreau’s children.
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United States ice hockey players celebrate with a team photo while holding Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey after defeating Canada in the men’s gold medal game at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on February 22, 2026. (Geoff Burke/Image Images)
Sean M. Higgins, the man accused of killing the Gaudreaus, faces six charges, including two counts of first-degree aggravated murder.
According to ESPN, a motion to dismiss some of the charges was denied last month and Higgins’ next court date is scheduled for June 16.
