Latest news with #GaudreauFamily5K
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL brotherhood shines as Matthew Tkachuk joins Gaudreau family for heartfelt 5K run/walk
Tkachuk pays tribute to Gaudreau family at 5K event (Image via: Getty Images) Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk took time away from Stanley Cup Final preparations to attend the Gaudreau Family 5K run/walk in New Jersey. The event honored the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, drawing over 2,400 participants and several NHL players. Tkachuk's emotional appearance showed the depth of his bond with the Gaudreau family and the hockey community's enduring support. Tkachuk joins NHL stars to support grieving Gaudreau family As the Panthers gear up for a high-stakes Stanley Cup showdown, alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk chose heart over headlines, flying to New Jersey to attend a deeply personal event. The Gaudreau Family 5K Run/Walk wasn't just a charity run, it was a memorial, a reunion, and a moment of healing for those closest to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Tkachuk's quiet strength during the event spoke volumes. 'I'm just glad we could be here for them,' he said, surrounded by fellow NHL players like Brady Tkachuk, Erik Gudbranson, Tony DeAngelo, Zach Aston-Reese, and Buddy Robinson. Their presence underscored a message that often goes unsaid: in the NHL, bonds forged in locker rooms last far beyond the ice. With over 2,400 global participants—both in-person and virtual—the 5K raised funds for an adaptive playground in Westville, New Jersey, honoring the Gaudreau family's commitment to community and inclusion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Jane Gaudreau, the family's matriarch, shared her gratitude in a single, powerful sticker: 'Thank you.' It was a heartfelt response to the wave of support flooding in during a time of unimaginable loss. Katie Gaudreau celebrates mother Jane's birthday with 'Our Queen' caption Just as the weekend carried emotional weight, it also offered a moment of reflection and celebration. Jane Gaudreau marked her birthday, surrounded—both physically and spiritually—by the love of her children and grandchildren. Katie Gaudreau shared a moving Instagram story tribute, showcasing old family photos of Jane with her late sons Johnny and Matthew, as well as daughters Kristen and Katie, and husband Guy. One photo featured Jane raising a glass with Katie; another captured a boat outing with grandkids. In her caption, Katie wrote, 'Happy Birthday to our queen. The leader of our family. We love you.' Also Read: Washington Capitals launch four limited-edition collectibles to celebrate Alex Ovechkin's 895th NHL goal Amid grief, the Gaudreau family continues to find strength in each other and the hockey world continues to stand right beside them.
New York Times
3 days ago
- General
- New York Times
At Gaudreau Family 5K, memory of late brothers Johnny and Matthew shines bright: ‘The boys are here'
SEWELL, N.J. — In the hour before the Gaudreau Family 5K on Saturday morning, with the sidewalk still wet from a rainstorm the previous night, hundreds and hundreds of participants filed into Washington Lake Park and headed toward a clearing where the race was to begin. A rainbow in the sky greeted all of them. Advertisement 'The boys are here,' said Deb Vasaturo, one of the event organizers. Nine months ago, mere days after John and Matthew Gaudreau were struck and killed by an SUV driver while riding bicycles together on Aug. 29, a group of close friends, including Vasaturo, had gathered at the family home in Penns Grove, N.J., hoping to offer support to the brothers' parents, Jane and Guy. That day, a double rainbow had split through the sky — a tiny comfort in a period of unimaginable grief. The 31-year-old John, better known as Johnny among fans, was playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets when he and 29-year-old Matthew died, and Zach Aston-Reese felt his presence throughout the NHL season. In February, on the first birthday of John's oldest son, a beautiful sunset graced Columbus; late in the season, before a must-win road game for the Blue Jackets, a rainbow appeared above the Philadelphia Flyers' arena. He was touched again when another rainbow emerged before the 5K, as throngs of runners and walkers gathered for the race. 'It's almost a year since (the accident), but I think it's something that can take a lifetime to heal from,' Aston-Reese said. 'Any time you get a chance to support, especially the bigger events, it's really special.' Around 1,100 people signed up for either the competitive 5K, which kicked off at 8 a.m., or a more casual 8:45 a.m. race of the same distance. Kids had their chance to compete in a one-mile run later in the morning. Multiple race participants wore jerseys of John, a seven-time NHL All-Star nicknamed Johnny Hockey, who played for the Calgary Flames and Blue Jackets. Some also wore gear for Matthew, who reached the AHL after a four-year career at Boston College and most recently suited up with the ECHL's Worcester Railers in 2021-22. The park was alive with activity throughout the morning. One tent showcased signed jerseys up for a silent auction, as kids played lawn games nearby. Baskets sitting on the covered stage were raffled off. Below them, attendees wrote memories and messages of support for the Gaudreau family on a big white banner. Advertisement The event raised money for an adaptive playground at Archbishop Damiano, a special education school in Westville, N.J. The Gaudreau family has deep family connections with the school: Jane's brother has special needs, and their mother worked there for more than 40 years. All four of the Gaudreau kids — Kristen, John, Matthew and Katie — have either volunteered for or worked at the school too. 'The playground has been a project for I think four or five years, and there just never was enough funding,' Vasaturo said. '(The 5K) was a perfect marriage of doing something good to honor the boys and seeing children laugh and smile.' Jane, Guy, Kristen and Katie were present throughout. Both boys loved children, Jane said, so seeing all the smiling kids would have been everything they would've wanted in the event. 'I think they would just be so proud of us that we did (this),' she said. Guy noted that Matthew would have run the 5K and won. He frequently beat John in off-ice exercises growing up, leaving his older brother 'so mad he couldn't see straight,' their dad said with fondness. Professional hockey players went out of their way to attend as well. South Jersey natives Buddy Robinson, who played 62 NHL games and is now in the KHL, and Tony DeAngelo, who played with the New York Islanders this past season, were both there. Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, a teammate of John Gaudreau's for the United States at the World Championships last summer, traveled from his offseason home on the Jersey Shore and wore a black sweatshirt that read 'Johnny Hockey.' Aston-Reese and Erik Gudbranson represented the Blue Jackets. 'Our family wouldn't have missed this,' said Gudbranson, who came with his wife and kids straight from a trip to Disney World. 'There's no way.' In the aftermath of John and Matthew's deaths, the Gaudreau family's friends wanted to find ways to help. Vasaturo initially thought of the charity 5K. When she approached Guy and Jane in October, Jane thought it was a wonderful idea but felt the family didn't have the emotional bandwidth to provide much help. Advertisement That wasn't an issue. Their friends — a committee of around 18 people — took care of it all. 'They did everything, organized everything,' Guy said. 'They just wanted us to be here.' Community members beyond the committee, including Aston-Reese, helped too. The Blue Jackets forward studied graphic design while playing college hockey at Northeastern University, and one of Jane's friends reached out and asked him to create the event logo. Honored, the Blue Jackets forward came up with a design — two interlocking hockey sticks with doves above them and the Gaudreau family name across the middle — that ultimately went on the race shirts and medals. 'It was pretty surreal pulling in and seeing everyone with their shirts on and the logo you created,' Aston-Reese said. Along with the race in Sewell, more than 1,300 people signed up to compete in a virtual 5K, with participants across the U.S. and Canada, as well as in multiple other countries, including Ireland, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. Florida Panthers players, who are preparing for the Stanley Cup Final, participated from Fort Lauderdale. 'Thursday, yesterday and even this morning I woke up, (and) I can't clean out my inbox because I get all the notices of all the donations and all the registrations,' said Paul O'Connor, an organizing committee member whose son was a childhood friend of Matthew. 'It just keeps growing.' Jane Gaudreau said it was emotional pulling into the park and seeing how many people were there. She and Guy initially expected the 5K to draw maybe 100 or 200 people. To see it balloon into an event with more than 1,000 was 'overwhelming, but in a good way,' she said. After the races, the family stood on stage for an award ceremony. The public address announcer listed off the overall top finishers, then the winners of each age group. The NHL players on hand presented awards: In place of trophies, each person received a gift card and one of the hockey sticks left at public memorials after John and Matthew's deaths. 'Just to be able to show support for this amazing family and see this amazing turnout, it was pretty great to be a part of,' said Tkachuk, who walked the more casual 5K. 'I'm just so thankful they had me here.' Every finisher received a medal that read '1st annual 5K run/walk,' indicating Saturday wasn't a one-off event, and indeed the current plan is to continue it in the future. Jane has seen messages asking if the family would host the race in Calgary or Columbus, which has given her ideas. She saw requests from Calgary first, so she said she'll perhaps run next year as a virtual participant with people there. Advertisement But this year the Gaudreaus were home in New Jersey, only a five-minute drive from Hollydell Ice Arena, the rink where the boys spent countless hours as kids. Jane stood near the end of the course as the fastest runners wrapped up the competitive race. She clapped and whooped as they neared the finish line. Guy, meanwhile, ran the race. He wore a bright orange long-sleeved shirt, and the crowd burst into applause when the public address announcer pointed him out as he came around the final turn. Vasaturo, the friend whose idea led to Saturday's event, cheered and cheered from the stage. 'His strength and Jane's strength and their resiliency is just amazing,' she said. 'We just want to be there and help them along the way, take these steps with them.' (Top photo of the Gaudreau family and NHL players: Gillian Kocher / Gaudreau Family 5K)
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Thousands take part in Gaudreau Family 5K walk and run in honour of brothers John and Matthew
Hockey sticks from various vigils for hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were fatally struck by a motorist while riding bicycles, rest against a sign at the inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K Walk, Run and Family Day, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Sewell, N.J. (AP Photo/Stephen Whyno)
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Run to honour Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
Jane and Guy Gaudreau will tell us about the 1st Annual Gaudreau Family 5K Run Walk and Family Day Event taking place next weekend
CBS News
04-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau wanted this adaptive playground to be built in NJ. It's almost funded.
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau 's family members are on a mission to turn their darkest days into a shining light for a school community, and they have never been closer to reaching their goal. This spring, they're hoping to cross the finish line. The Gaudreaus, along with members of the hockey community, are organizing the first Gaudreau Family 5K. It's meant to honor the lives of John and Matt and raise money for an adaptive playground at Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, New Jersey. One look at the smiling students at ADS, and it's easy to see why Jane Gaudreau and her family have made the school in Gloucester County part of a personal mission. Jane has spent months raising money for the school's much-needed adaptive playground in honor of her sons after they were tragically killed last summer by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes in Salem County, New Jersey. "They both loved children so much that to see children playing on the playground would just, you know, mean the world to them," Gaudreau says. ADS is a second family for the Gaudreaus. Jane has worked at the school for more than 40 years. John and Matt volunteered there as kids. And even as a superstar in the NHL, John never forgot his roots. He started fundraising for the playground years ago when Jane's mother passed. "They said, 'let's just say in lieu of flowers, give donations to the playground,'" Jane said. ADS is a nonprofit school for more than 135 students with disabilities. But in its current state, the playground is crumbling and inaccessible to many. "We want adapted swings, adapted slides, equipment that children in wheelchairs can actually have access to," Principal Michele McCloskey says. The school is now preparing for the next big fundraising push through a 5K run and walk. The Gaudreau Family 5K in May has already attracted more than 800 participants, but more support is needed for the school to reach its goal. ADS is getting closer to raising the $600,000 needed for the adaptive playground. It has now raised $400,000. When CBS News Philadelphia first started following this story , the school had only raised $100,000. "Our next steps are to finalize equipment and colors and really get the timeline set for the playground," School Business Manager Nicole Maldonado says. "So, we're hoping after this 5K, it's obtainable." Jane can already imagine the day these students step foot on their safe, inclusive playground. "And I know that John and Matty would be so proud of us," Gaudreau said. "I just know that they're going to be looking down and so proud. They'll be with us that day when we, you know, have the opening day. And I just know they'll love it." Registration for the Gaudreau Family 5K Run, Walk and Family Fun Day is open . The event will take place at Washington Lake Park in Sewell on Saturday, May 31, from 8 a.m. until noon. The competitive race is still open, but the walk has already sold out. Organizers say that should not deter participants. Those interested in supporting the Gaudreaus' mission can still participate virtually by signing up and walking anywhere at any time. Organizers are also looking for sponsors and donors for their basket auction.
