9 September (index treasure) – On Monday, St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, PA, held a memorial for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Many NHL players attended to honor the brothers. They included Sean Monahan, Kevin Hayes, Seth Jones, Cole Caufield, Jack Eichel, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Their caskets, covered with white cloths and golden crosses, were placed at the front of the church.
The brothers died on August 29. They were hit by a suspected drunk driver while biking in New Jersey. This tragic event occurred just hours before they were to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding in Philadelphia.
Matthew and Johnny’s wives spoke at the service.
Matthew Gaudreau’s widow, Madeline, cried. She felt “trapped in a nightmare” she couldn’t wake from this past week. “I feel numb, angry, sad, blessed all at once.”
Madeline is pregnant with the couple’s first child.
In her eulogy, Johnny Gaudreau’s widow Meredith revealed she was nine weeks pregnant with their third child.
“In less than three years of marriage, we’ve created a family of five. It doesn’t even sound possible. But I look at it as the ultimate blessing.
“How lucky am I to be the mother of John’s three babies?
“Our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances,” she said.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, starred in the NHL for 11 seasons with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets. He scored 243 goals and 743 points, and made seven All-Star game appearances.
