Gloucester Catholic hockey honors the legacy of the Gaudreau brothers: ‘It was big to just come out here and show up for them’
Gloucester Catholic, where Johnny Gaudreau played and Matthew later coached, held a special place in the boys' hearts.
When Mike Joyce is playing hockey, he feels a sense of gratitude, though it’s hard to see that in the moment sometimes. However, on Thursday at Hollydell Ice Arena, those feelings were present for the Gloucester Catholic senior and his teammates.
The Rams’ ice hockey program paid tribute to the Gaudreau family and legacy of Johnny and Matthew before their game against St. Peter’s Prep of Jersey City. The hometown hockey heroes were killed by an alleged drunk driver while riding their bikes in Oldmans Township on Aug 29. Johnny was 31 years old and Matthew was 29.
Their parents, Jane and Guy Gaudreau, along with their sister, Katie, and her children, stood together on the ice to receive a gift from the captains: a Gloucester Catholic jersey with Boston College, Calgary Flames, and Columbus Blue Jackets patches on the sleeve, with Gaudreau written on the back.
The team wore the jerseys during warmups and hung a pair above the rink while they played.
The brothers, who graduated from Gloucester Catholic, had a lasting impact on the community. Johnny, a seven-time NHL All-Star who played nine seasons with the Flames and was entering his third with the Jackets, was the superstar that kids looked up to, Joyce said, while Matthew, also known as Matty, came back to his hometown after playing four seasons in the AHL and ECHL to become the head coach at Gloucester Catholic.
It was important for the team to show up Thursday in honor of its former coach and Johnny. So after the Gaudreau family dropped the ceremonial puck, the Rams (3-7) played a tough, determined game to rally for a 6-3 win over St. Peter’s Prep.
“This was big,” said Joyce, who had a hat trick and an assist. “They’ve done so much for us, the school, the hockey program, everything. It was big to just come out here and show up for them.”
Matthew served two years as the Rams’ coach. He stepped down this offseason and was planning to take on another coaching job. . In July, Mike Geary, who grew up in Erie, Pa., was named head coach.
During Matthew’s first year, the team finished 9-9-2 and made an NJSIAA semifinal appearance. The following year, some players left to play juniors and others experienced injuries. The Rams finished 0-11, but during times of frustration, Matty would remind his team to “stick together.”
“Just always having fun,” Joyce said of what he learned from Matthew. “Obviously scoring goals and playing defense, but team was always first for him. We always made sure we were together, never apart or anything.”
Athletic director Ryan Murphy added: “Those guys stuck it out. I think that’s such a sign of respect for how much they had for him. He had such a good relationship with the boys and they were still fighting for him.”
» READ MORE: Johnny and Matty Gaudreau were more than hockey. They were inspirations to their South Jersey community.
Relationships were important to Matthew. His dad, who spent 11 years coaching the Rams, laid out that foundation. Their families’ tight-nit connection was infectious to those around them.
It’s what the team will remember most when they think about the Gaudreau brothers.
“Matty was willing to give back when he really didn’t have to,” said Gloucester Catholic principal Thomas Iacovone. “He was already coaching and he put his whole heart into it. He was great with the kids and was just a true coach.”
The first win this season was emotional for the team. Geary recalled the group grabbing one another, hugging in tears. After going winless last season, they needed it, because now they’re playing for someone other than themselves.
Everybody grieves differently, and in many ways, the tragedy is still shocking, Joyce said, but when the captain laces his skates and throws on Maroon and Gold, he “takes it more to heart.”
“They wouldn’t want us to harp on it,” he added. “They don’t want us to sit here and mope. They want us to go out there, have fun, and play for them. ... Both got that taken away from them. They were two smiley, happy guys, so they would want us to be out there on the ice for them.”