In the days since the sudden and devastating passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, many around the hockey world and specifically the Columbus Blue Jackets have taken time to remember Gaudreau's charity work.
Just as the man lovingly known as Johnny Hockey was a passionate player on the ice and a passionate family man off of it, Gaudreau's passion for charity work was easy to see.
Matthew Gaudreau's GoFundMe
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Matthew Gaudreau's wife, Madeline, is pregnant with their first child, named Tripp.
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The GoFundMe was organized by Madeline's sister, Holland Korbitz. In it, she says that all dollars will "alleviate some of the financial burdens they now face. Your support will allow them the time to take off work to grieve and heal as a family."
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As of Sunday evening, nearly 7,000 donors had raised just over $481,000 dollars.
- To access the GoFundMe and give any amount to support Madeline Gaudreau, please click here.
In 2016, while a member of the Calgary Flames, Gaudreau started the Johnny Gaudreau Scholarship Golf Tournament. The events purpose was to raise dollars to offer scholarships and tuition assistance to underprivileged students at Gloucester Catholic High School, his alma mater, in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey.
The 8th annual Johnny Gaudreau Scholarship Golf Tournament took place just six weeks ago.
Closer to home, Gaudreau immediately stood by the side of then-teammate Patrik Laine when the now-former Blue Jacket entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in January.
Prior to the 2023-24 season, Laine had pledged to give $1,000 for every point he tallied during the season to support men's mental health through the OhioHealth Foundation. However, a series of injuries followed by Laine's entrance into the Player Assistance Program left a gap in his good-willed gesture.
Shortly after Laine announced he was entering the program, Gaudreau pledged to give the same amount for every point he scored from February 13 through the end of the season. The total was added to Laine's contribution.
Gaudreau scored five goals and added 21 assists in that span, raising $26,000 for the cause. In addition to Laine's nine points before his season was lost, a total of $35,000 was raised by the duo to support the initiative.
When announcing that he was taking part in the program, Gaudreau spoke on the significance of mental health in today's society, particularly for men.
“Mental health is a very important issue, and one that is personal for Patrik, so I am happy to be able to support my teammate and the work that the OhioHealth Foundation is doing in support of men that are struggling in our community."
Funds raised by Laine and Gaudreau went to the OhioHealth Foundation’s men’s mental health services and programs, which provided support to men in the central Ohio community who were struggling with a variety of mental illnesses.
We are devastated to learn the unimaginable tragedy of the passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
— OhioHealth (@OhioHealth) August 30, 2024
OhioHealth sends our heartfelt condolences to the Gaudreau family and the Columbus Blue Jackets. https://t.co/Kwgdok7ofP
Gaudreau was also amongst the most involved players with the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, where he was very often participating in events that supported youth hockey, education, and health programs.
To make a donation to the OhioHealth Foundation, please follow this link, and to make a financial gift to the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, please follow this link.
Our continued thoughts, prayers, and energy are with the Gaudreau family and his extended Blue Jackets family.
