Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were laid to rest Monday, 11 days after the brothers were killed while cycling in Oldmans Township, NJ.
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, just west of Philadelphia, was overflowing with family, friends, teammates and the hockey community at large as they said goodbye to a pair of brothers who were taken far too soon.
The entire Columbus Blue Jackets team was there. So, too, were former Blue Jackets Patrik Laine, Seth Jones and Eric Robinson, as well as former Columbus head coach John Tortorella. Robinson, a close friend of the Gaudreaus, was a pallbearer for Johnny.
Former teammates were there, including Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and Jacob Markstrom among others. Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens, who changed his jersey number to 13 last week to honor Johnny, was also at the service.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players' Association executive director Marty Walsh were in attendance too.
But so too were hundreds of friends and family members of the Johnny and Matthew. So many people, in fact, that extra chairs were brought in by the dozens to try and give everyone a seat for the nearly two-hour goodbye.
The number of people did not go unnoticed by Rev. Tony Penna, who serves as the director of campus ministry at Boston College, where the Gaudreau brothers starred for the Eagles.
"By the overwhelming presence and overwhelming number of people here today, they're sending a message to you loud and clear that John and Matthew's lives mattered," said Penna. "They were noticed on this Earth, they were loved on this Earth and they were valued on this Earth.
“All of us simply have a visa on this Earth; we don’t have a passport. We’re here for a short time, sometimes too short a time."
In a passionate and beautiful eulogy to her late husband, Meredith Gaudreau thanked Johnny for three years of marriage and all of their time together.
"(Johnny) was everything and more... that I only dreamt about finding in a husband and then he made all my dreams come true," said Meredith. "Every day, I strived to be more like him."
Meredith also made mention of two specific players, both sitting a few rows in front of her. One was new Blue Jacket Sean Monahan, who was Gaudreau's linemate in Calgary and who signed with Columbus this offseason, reuniting the pair. The other was another former linemate, Kevin Hayes, who skated with Johnny while the two were at Boston College (Hayes is now with the Pittsburgh Penguins).
"You've both known John longer than I have, which means you helped shape him into the man I fell in love with," she said. "He looked up to you both on and off the ice. You are his brothers, which means you're my brothers, too. Thank you for being there with me when you're experiencing such a great loss, as well."
In a particularly heartbreaking moment, Meredith announced during the eulogy that she is currently nine weeks pregnant with the couple's third child. She found out just days before Johnny's death and upon hearing the news, he showered her with hugs and kisses.
The Gaudreau's first child, Noa, was born in September 2022. Their first son, Johnny, was born in February.
Matthew's wife, Madeline, is also pregnant. She is due to give birth in December to the couple's first child, a son they had decided to name Tripp.
"I can't wait to see Johnny and Tripp grow up together and have the same bond as their dads had," Madeline said.
Madeline took the opportunity to plead with anyone to never get behind the wheel after drinking.
"I urge everyone to not drink and drive," said Madeline. "Find a ride. Please don't put another family through this torture."
