It was supposed to be a weekend of celebration. The kind of weekend families talk about for decades. Katie Gaudreau was getting married in Philadelphia, and her brothers, Johnny and Matthew, were back home in New Jersey to stand by her side as groomsmen. Instead, on August 29, 2024, the hockey world stopped spinning. A suspected drunk driver struck and killed both brothers while they were out for an evening bike ride.
The shock didn't just hit the NHL. It hit every rink, every locker room, and every fan who had ever cheered for "Johnny Hockey." But amidst the wreckage of that night, something remarkable happened. Within hours, a Gaudreau Go Fund Me page appeared.
It wasn't just a fundraiser. It was a massive, collective guttural cry from a community that didn't know how else to help.
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The Heartbreaking Purpose of the Gaudreau Go Fund Me
Honestly, money is a small comfort when you've lost two pillars of a family. However, the reality for those left behind was immediate and heavy. While Johnny Gaudreau was an NHL superstar with the Columbus Blue Jackets, his younger brother Matthew was at a different stage of life.
Matthew's wife, Madeline, was pregnant with their first child, a son to be named Tripp.
The primary fundraiser, "Support Madeline and Baby Tripp After Tragedy," was launched by Madeline’s sister, Holland Korbitz. The initial goal was modest: $30,000. That was meant to cover funeral expenses and give Madeline a bit of a cushion so she wouldn't have to rush back to work while grieving and preparing for a newborn.
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The goal didn't stay at $30,000 for long. Not even for an hour.
By the Numbers: A Wave of Support
- Total Raised: The fund quickly rocketed past $860,000.
- Donors: Over 9,400 people contributed.
- Speed: It hit the half-million mark in less than a week.
Who Actually Donated?
It wasn't just anonymous fans throwing in five dollars. The list of donors on the Gaudreau Go Fund Me looked like an NHL All-Star roster. You’d scroll down and see names like Matt Duchene, who gave $2,013 (a nod to the year Matthew graduated or perhaps a jersey number reference). You saw the family of Artemi Panarin donating $3,000.
Cliff Rucker, the owner of the Worcester Railers (where Matthew played), kicked things off with a $10,000 donation.
The cool thing? The donations often ended in the number 13 or 21. Fans were donating $13.13 or $21.21 to honor the jersey numbers the brothers wore. It’s those tiny, specific details that show how much the "C of Red" in Calgary and the "5th Line" in Columbus were hurting.
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Beyond the Initial Fundraiser
While the support for Madeline and Tripp was the focal point, the Gaudreau legacy started spawning other avenues of help. People weren't just clicking a "donate" button; they were building memorials.
- The Gaudreau Family 5K: Scheduled for May 2025 in Sewell, New Jersey. This wasn't just about running; it was about raising money for an adaptive playground for children with disabilities.
- The Foundation: Meredith (Johnny’s widow) and Madeline eventually announced the creation of a formal foundation to honor the brothers' legacies through various charitable causes they cared about, including men's mental health and youth sports.
- Local Impact: In Calgary and Columbus, fans left thousands of Skittles and purple Gatorade bottles at arena entrances—Johnny’s favorite snacks.
What People Get Wrong About the Tragedy
There is a misconception that because Johnny was a wealthy athlete, the family "didn't need" a GoFundMe. That misses the point entirely.
First, Matthew wasn't on an NHL salary; he was a dedicated coach and former minor leaguer. Second, when a tragedy of this scale happens—two brothers, one night, the eve of a wedding—the logistical "business" of death is overwhelming. The Gaudreau Go Fund Me gave the family the one thing money can actually buy: time. Time to stay home. Time to not worry about a mortgage while staring at a nursery that Matthew would never step into.
Madeline gave birth to Tripp in late 2024. He’s healthy. He’s loved. And because of that fundraiser, his mother had the financial breathing room to focus solely on him during those first critical months.
Practical Ways to Honor the Legacy Today
If you’re looking at this story now and wondering how to help, the GoFundMe is largely a closed chapter in terms of active campaigning, though the impact remains. The focus has shifted toward long-term legacy.
- Support MADD: Mothers Against Drunk Driving became a major partner for fans looking to turn their anger into action. The driver involved, Sean Higgins, had a BAC of .087—just over the limit, but enough to destroy a family.
- The 5K Run: Keep an eye on local New Jersey events like the Gaudreau Family 5K if you're in the Tri-State area.
- Youth Hockey: Johnny and Matthew were "small" players who proved heart matters more than height. Donating to local youth hockey programs in their name is exactly what they would have wanted.
The Gaudreau Go Fund Me wasn't just a transaction. It was a digital vigil. It proved that even when the world feels incredibly dark and a senseless act takes away two bright lights, people will still show up. They'll show up with their wallets, their prayers, and their $13 donations.
Actionable Next Step: If you want to support the ongoing legacy, look into the Gaudreau Family Foundation or sign up for the Gaudreau Family 5K to help build the adaptive playground in New Jersey. Always remember to secure a safe ride home; the most profound way to honor Johnny and Matthew is to ensure no other family has to endure a night like August 29.