In Memory of Matthew Gaudreau

There are some things in this life that are bigger than hockey.

Today, the hockey world was rocked by the announcement of the passing of Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau.

Born on December 5th, 1994, in Carneys Point Township, New Jersey, he was the younger brother of Johnny Gaudreau and had an extremely close relationship with his brother his entire life.

Matthew, or Matty as he was nicknamed, had ties to Philadelphia dating back to his junior playing days. Gaudreau played for the Philadelphia Little Flyers in the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons. He dressed in 56 games and tallied 30 goals with 60 assists. In the 2009-2010 season, Gaudreau moved on to play for Team Comcast 16U AAA. He played in 35 games and notched 14 goals with 21 assists. Gaudreau again played for Team Comcast in the 2010-2011 season for 18U AAA in the T1EHL 18U division. He dressed in 40 games and gathered six goals with 25 assists. Gaudreau moved on to Team Comcast 18U AAA AYHL 18 U Division, where he played in 20 games. He notched seven goals with 18 assists.

In the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons, Gaudreau moved on to the USHL and played for the Omaha Lancers. During the two seasons he played there, he dressed in 106 games. He tallied 15 goals with 25 assists. Gaudreau was then launched into his collegiate career, playing alongside his brother at Boston College.

Gaudreau played at Boston College from 2013-2017. In his freshman season, he played alongside his brother, Johnny, and long-time family friend, Kevin Hayes. During his collegiate career, he dressed in 119 games. He tallied 16 goals with 47 assists. After college, Gaudreau headed for the professional ranks in the AHL and ECHL.

In the 2017-2018 season, Gaudreau played nine games for the AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers (who have since rebranded to the Bridgeport Islanders), tallying one assist. He was re-assigned to the Worcester Railers and played in 38 games, tallying 12 goals with 21 assists. In the 2018-2019 season, Gaudreau played eight games for the Bridgeport. During those eight games, he notched one goal with three assists. He played a majority of the season in Worcester, dressing in 50 games. He tallied 12 goals and 21 assists while with the Railers that season.

During the 2019-2020 season, Gaudreau played four games with the Stockton Heat (who have since become the Calgary Wranglers). During his time with the Heat, he did not accumulate any points. He was then re-assigned to the ECHL team Reading Royals, where he played in 38 games. Gaudreau notched 11 goals with 29 assists. This season was paused and never resumed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gaudreau decided to take his career overseas for the 2020-2021 season and played for TyringeSoSS in the HockeyEttan. He played in 12 games and tallied two goals with four assists. Gaudreau ended his professional career in the 2021-2022 season, playing in one game for the Worcester Railers.

Gaudreau started his coaching career in the 2021-2022 season, becoming the Assistant Coach of the Philadelphia Hockey Club in both the NCDC and the USPHL Premier. In the 2022-2023 season, Gaudreau became the Assistant Coach of the Philadelphia Rebels in the NAHL and then became the Head Coach of Gloucester Catholic High in the USHS-NJ. He continued to remain Head Coach in the 2023-2024 season for Gloucester Catholic High.

Matty Gaudreau was a fan’s type of player and a player’s type of teammate. Fans and teammates could rely on Gaudreau to do the right thing when he was on the ice.

At Inside The Rink, we extend our deepest condolences to the Gaudreau Family, including Matthew’s wife, Madeline, and Johnny’s wife, Meredith, and children Noa and Johnny. We also extended our condolences to teammates, friends, and fans.