Players, NHLPA G&D band together in support of inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K

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For Jane Gaudreau, the first Gaudreau Family 5K Run/Walk and Family Fun Day is a poignant reminder of the outpouring of love and support her family has received over the past nine months since the passing of her sons, Johnny and Matthew, in August.

On May 31, thousands of people will lend their support to a community event that honours the legacy and lasting impact of the brothers by participating in-person and remotely.

The event, which includes a competitive chip-timed 5K race and a fun run/walk for more casual participants, takes place at Washington Lake Park in New Jersey. Children’s activities include a one-mile fun run and shorter kids’ dash, face-painting, games and more.

An online memorabilia auction, raffle of gift baskets and merchandise will help raise additional funds.

There is also a virtual option for those who are interested in participating in their own runs, which can be done any time between May 24 and 31.

Proceeds from the event will be directed to the building of an adaptive playground at Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, N.J.

“Wow… it has been overwhelming,” Jane told NHLPA.com. “I never expected this many people to support us. The hockey community has been there for us since the moment the boys passed away – it has been like one giant hug. They have been so good to us.”

As have many others, both inside and outside of the sports world.

There is a 2023 NHL All-Star Game jersey signed by Johnny Gaudreau, along with signed jerseys from NHL stars like Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Prominent names from other pro sports leagues have also donated merchandise to the silent auction.

NHLPA Goals & Dreams, the players’ charitable program, is making a $25,000 donation on behalf of the players to support the efforts that will memorialize Johnny and Matthew.

“It is so overwhelming. But this is what the hockey community does. The players are just a different breed. They have embraced our family and keep asking what they can do for us. And this wonderful donation from the players and the NHLPA – I should say it surprises us, but it just doesn’t. We know what hockey players are about.”

Zach Aston-Reese, who played against the Gaudreau brothers growing up and later with John in Columbus, was asked to lend his expertise to the design of the logo and medal for the event.

“My good friends Nolan and John Stevens’ mother, Stacy, who is very close with the Gaudreau family, had reached out to me,” said Aston-Reese. “She knew I was a graphic design major from college since I’ve helped her sons with their logos for hockey camps. Stacy called me and asked, if she sent some ideas, if l would be able to put something together for the foundation. I felt honoured that she thought of me to help create something so meaningful.

“What the families, friends and hockey world are doing shows just how special Johnny and Matty were – whether you knew them personally or not. I knew the brothers from playing against them growing up. I played against them at almost every level all the way up to the NHL. I would sometimes be at the same summer skate or charity tournament. Johnny was always very quiet and humble. Aside from being talented hockey players, it was obvious they were raised very well and were a part of a close-knit family.” 

And a family who has a long history of giving back to their community.

Matthew, who played four seasons at Boston College, along with time spent in the AHL and ECHL, and John, who skated in three seasons at Boston College and played in 763 regular-season NHL games between Calgary and Columbus, were recognized throughout their respective hockey careers for their skill but also for their selflessness and commitment to supporting others.

The Gaudreaus have strong family ties to Archbishop Damiano School, where the pair often volunteered with their sisters, Kristen and Katie.

“My brother, Ricky, had multiple disabilities and back then – in the early 1970s – there weren’t many schools available to meet his needs,” recalled Jane. “My mom, who was a single parent, struggled to find a place for them.”

Representatives from the school reached out one day.

“They said they could take Ricky on a trial basis for six weeks, but they needed my mom to go with him, so she could help them if they needed any. My mom came with my brother on the first day and staff said she could read a book, sit in the office or walk around. She asked if there was something she could do to help. She volunteered and at the end of the six weeks, they told her my brother would be a perfect fit for the school. They also said she would be perfect fit, and they wanted to hire her. So, that’s how it started with my brother and mom.”

“I worked here during college, where I was studying to be a teacher,” said Jane. “When I met Guy, he was big into hockey, so I figured if we had kids, they would need us a lot. So, I switched over to finance. I have been at ADS for 41 years in February. My oldest daughter, Kristen, worked here in the summers during college, and she works in our speech department. Our youngest daughter, Katie, who also helped out ADS, is a teacher at another school near our house.”

John and Matthew put their own spin on volunteering.

“We say they volunteered and helped the students, but what they typically did was play with the students,” said Jane. “At one point my mom worked with older children at the school. I remember I walked into the class one day, and I said, ‘Mom. What are the boys doing?’ Matty and John had rolled up paper and were shooting baskets. Sometimes, they would crumple paper or aluminum foil, and they get out a broom and play hockey with the kids. It was at the end of the day, so everybody enjoyed it.

“We have a scholastic book fair, where you can buy books. At one point, John donated money so that every student would have a book – some kids didn’t have money to buy one. Guy has volunteered at ADS as well, so, when I say this school has been a family affair, it truly is.”

Which makes the fundraiser for ADS that much more special for the Gaudreaus.

Jane sees the playground as a perfect way to carry on the legacy of her sons and the family.

“The boys would be so happy with this and so proud we are doing this to honour them.

“When my mother had passed away, and in lieu of donations, we asked if people wanted to make a donation, they could make one to the playground fund. John also donated to the fund. Whenever John would score a hat trick – during the regular season or one occasion, he had a hat trick at the [2023] All-Star Game – he donated to the fund. I believe it was with Enterprise, through the NHLPA, that the players could donate to a charity of their choice when they scored a hat trick. And that’s who Johnny chose.”

Getting to this point – seeing the ADS fundraiser and charity walk come to fruition – has been an emotional journey for Jane and her family.

“A friend of mine – she put this out to me – suggested we do a 5K to honour the boys and all the proceeds can to go the playground. This type of playground can be quite expensive compared to a typical one. My husband, my two daughters and I loved the idea. But that was at a point where it was a struggle to get out of bed.”

There are still very difficult days to navigate, but the support of family, friends and the hockey community has helped the Gaudreaus immensely.

When the Blue Jackets had their annual mother’s trip this past February, Jane hadn’t entertained the idea of going.

One phone call changed her mind.

“Erik Gudbranson called and wanted me to come,” Jane said of the conversation with the Blue Jackets’ defenceman.

“I wasn’t expecting it, and I wanted to think about it – I thought it would be too much for me. I talked to Guy and our daughters, and they told me to go. I’m close with the moms and the players – these people are our second family. I went and everyone – players, moms, the coaches – was amazing. It helped us get through a grief, knowing so many people are there for us.”

They still very much are.

On May 31, the Gaudreau family will be reminded of that as the hockey community gathers from across the world to show their love and support.

“This was something our hockey friends wanted to do for us,” said Jane. “A lot of these people came to our house, the viewing, the funeral, after the boys passed away. They wanted to help… that meant the world to us. Not in our wildest dreams did we think we would sell out the in-person event.”

Support has come from across the world – literally.

“We have hit every single state in the U.S. and everywhere in Canada, I believe,” said Jane. “Matty played in Sweden and John played internationally, so people from all over the world have reached out. When I looked at the list, I didn’t realize how long it took to get 2,000 names – it is unbelievable to see how widespread the support is.”

Including from players across the NHL, some of whom never met John and Matthew.

“It has been so nice to have the hockey family bring us into their family,” said Jane. “The number of wonderful messages, cards, gifts, meals – it was the words and stories that have meant the most to our family.”

More than perhaps any of them will ever know.

As the Gaudreau family and their extended hockey family gather on May 31, they’ll walk and run not just in memory of John and Matthew, but toward a future that reflects their kindness, spirit and enduring love for community.

“At different times in the day, my husband and I just stop and try to wrap our minds around the fact that there are so many people whose lives have been touched by Matthew and John – we are so amazed and in awe of what everyone is doing,” said Jane.

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