Community Unites to Honor Gaudreau Brothers with Inaugural Charity Event
Washington Lake Park, NJ – This past Saturday, over 1,000 participants gathered at Washington Lake Park for the inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K Walk/Run and Family Day, honoring the memories of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who tragically lost their lives in a bicycling accident less than a year ago.
The park held special significance for the brothers, as they frequently visited it during their childhood near Hollydell Ice Arena, where they began their youth hockey journey. An estimated 1,100 attendees participated physically, while more than 1,300 others joined virtually from across the globe, showcasing the brothers’ enduring legacy and the deep connections they fostered within the community.
NHL players, including Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators, Erik Gudbranson, Zach Aston-Reese, and Tony DeAngelo, also attended, underscoring the close-knit nature of the hockey community. "It really speaks to the love everyone has for them," Tkachuk remarked, reflecting on the significant turnout.
The charity event aimed to raise funds for an accessible playground at the Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, where family members of the Gaudreaus work and where Johnny and Matthew previously volunteered. The school, which serves 135 students with disabilities, was in desperate need of a new playground to enhance its facilities.
Johnny and Matthew’s father, Guy Gaudreau, expressed gratitude to all participants, saying, “It really means a lot to Jane and the girls and the family. We miss the boys.” The event hopes to become an annual occurrence, potentially expanding to Calgary and Columbus, homes of Johnny’s previous NHL teams.
Participants showed their support with tributes, including apparel emblazoned with "Johnny Hockey." The event also featured an auction of signed NHL memorabilia, raising nearly $600,000 to support the school’s playground initiative.
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