Latest news with #JohnandMatthewGaudreauFoundation
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau's widows discuss grief, foundation in emotional interview
The widows of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau used the occasion of what would have been Johnny's 32nd birthday to formally launch a foundation to honor the late hockey players. But most of the interview with Meredith, Johnny's wife, and Madeline on ABC's "Good Morning America" dealt with the grief they have experienced in the nearly one year since their husbands died on Aug. 29, 2024. The brothers were hit by a suspected drunk driver while they were bicycling in New Jersey. Sean Higgins has pleaded not guilty to charges in the case. "Half of me, the best part of me, died that day, too," Meredith said. "I'm trying to be double now for my kids, even though I'm half of who I was." Both women were expecting at the time of their husbands' deaths. Madeline gave birth to her first child, Tripp, and Meredith her third, Carter. "Tripp's now hitting milestones, so that's heartbreaking because Matt was super excited to be a dad," Madeline said. The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, first announced in March, will help youth hockey initiatives, support hockey families that have faced tragedy and help other families that have been affected by drunk driving. "It was never lost on John and Matty about how expensive it is to maintain hockey as a hobby," Meredith said. The brothers played at Boston College. Older brother Johnny became a seven-time All-Star with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets. Matthew played in the American Hockey League and ECHL and retired to coach youth hockey. The hockey community has kept the players' names in the forefront. USA Hockey had Johnny Gaudreau's jersey in the locker rooms at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Columbus fans sang "Happy Birthday" to Johnny Gaudreau Jr. at a game in February. The Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings honored the brothers with their outfits as they walked into their Stadium Series game. Meredith announced Blue Jackets first-round selections at the 2025 NHL Draft. "My daughter (Noa) is catching on," Meredith told ABC. "She's 2 and she asks for him a lot. She says, 'Daddy's in heaven' and I'm starting to explain to her what heaven is really because she wants to go to heaven and she says, 'I want him to come back' or 'let's call him.'" Madeline said she has been writing notes to Matthew since a couple days after the accident. "Lately it's been like, oh, you know, 'Tripp has two teeth now, but I know you know this.' Because it's hard for me to write and think that Matt isn't seeing this," she said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Madeline Gaudreau reveals the words she wishes she told Matthew Gaudreau before his tragic death
Madeline Gaudreau reveals the words she wishes she told Matthew Gaudreau before his tragic death (Image via Getty) Madeline Gaudreau, wife of the late hockey star Matthew Gaudreau, spoke on August 12, 2025, during an interview on Good Morning America. She shared a wish she never got to say: 'Thank you for making me a mom. ' Matthew, age 29, and his brother Johnny Gaudreau, age 31, died in a tragic crash in New Jersey during their sister's wedding on August 29, 2024, when a suspected drunk driver hit them. Now, Madeline is raising their son Tripp Matthew, born in December 2024, and she wants to honor Matthew's memory with her words and her actions. Madeline Gaudreau shares the words she wishes she told Matthew Gaudreau before his death On Good Morning America on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Madeline spoke about where she lives, that is, with her son and in memory of her husband. She said Matthew had always wanted to be a dad, but she felt they were 'too young.' She shared that they had a pregnancy early in 2024, which ended in a miscarriage in February, and then she became pregnant again in March, leading to the birth of Tripp. Madeline said softly, 'Thank you for making me a mom,' the one sentence she wished she had spoken to Matthew before he died. She also talked about keeping in touch with him in her own way. Every night, she writes to Matthew: notes about Tripp's new milestones, like his first teeth. She said , 'Tripp has two teeth now, but I know you know this.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo It's a heart-tugging way she feels connected to him. Meredith Gaudreau and Madeline Gaudreau stand together after losing Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau At the same interview, Matthew's brother's wife, Meredith Gaudreau, joined. Meredith gave birth to her and Johnny's third child, Carter Michael, earlier in 2025. She spoke of loss, love, and wanting her husband remembered not just as a great hockey player, but as a loving dad who their children miss every day. Also Read: Connor McDavid's Wife Lauren Kyle Shares An Exclusive New Look At Fun Moments From Celeste Desjardins And Leon Draisaitl's Wedding Together, Madeline and Meredith also launched the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, announced publicly on that same day. The foundation supports youth hockey and families touched by drunk driving. It was born from their grief and their desire to help others, just the way the brothers helped kids by doing clinics and coaching. Their words and their work show how they are trying to keep Matthew and Johnny alive in memory and in community. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Meredith Gaudreau and Madeline Gaudreau launch John Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau foundation on ‘Good Morning America'
Meredith and Madeline launch John Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau foundation on 'Good Morning America' (Image Via Getty) The two widows, Meredith Gaudreau and Madeline Gaudreau, appeared on ABC's 'Good Morning America" to announce the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, a charity supporting youth hockey programs and families damaged by drunk driving, on what would have been Johnny Gaudreau's 32nd birthday. The cause is very personal, honoring two brothers whose kindness, passion, and impact went far beyond just skating on the ice. Honoring the legacy of John Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau Widows of Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew open up about tragic loss Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau died on August 29, 2024, when an alleged drunk driver ran them over while they were out cycling in New Jersey. The tragedy happened a day prior to their sister's wedding. Johnny had spent eight seasons with the Flames of Calgary before going to the Columbus Blue Jackets, while Matthew was about to start his first season as assistant coach for the Philadelphia Rebels. Meredith related, 'He kissed all of us goodbye—just in the driveway at his parents' house, and that was the last time I saw him.' A foundation born from love and community support Meredith gave the reasoning behind the formation of the foundation: "We kind of spent the whole year really trying to take our time, do things right, and we've already been able to accept a lot of donations… so we wanted to make sure we took our time." The charity mainly focuses on youth hockey associations, helping families facing tragedy, and supporting victims of drunk driving. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo Meredith recalled, "John would always say he wouldn't have been able to have a lot of the resources he had if his dad wasn't his (hockey) coach." The colors of the foundation — black for Johnny's favorite and bright green for Matthew — signify their personalities and bond. Carrying their spirit forward Meredith, co-president with Madeline, reflected on the support that came from all over the world. "It's crazy just to see John's impact has pretty much reached worldwide," she said, touched by such kindness as friends asking wedding guests to donate instead of giving gifts. The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation is more than just a memorial; it is a continuation of the generosity of the two brothers and will inspire generations on and off the ice. Also Read: Chad Ruhwedel announces retirement from NHL after a steady 11-year career It is through the mandate of this foundation that Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau ensure that John and Matthew's love of hockey, generosity, and commitment to aid and uplift fellow human beings will go on changing lives for years to come. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
