In Sewell, New Jersey, days after brothers John and Matthew Gaudreau were tragically killed in a bicycle accident on the eve of their sister Katie`s wedding, a double rainbow appeared after a rainstorm while family friends were visiting their parents, Guy and Jane. This natural phenomenon offered a brief sense of peace.
Jane Gaudreau hadn`t seen any signs from her sons since that day. The day before the event, she sat in their room and prayed for divine help to ensure good weather for the inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K Walk/Run and Family Day, organized to honor their memory. Despite a tornado watch the previous night, a rainbow emerged Saturday morning just before the sun broke through, about an hour before the event began.
“I was so relieved,” Jane commented, interpreting the rainbow as a sign from her sons.
The event, held at Washington Lake Park in southern New Jersey – a familiar place from John and Matthew`s childhood, near where they first played hockey – drew thousands. Approximately 1,100 participants joined the walk or run in person, with over 1,300 more participating virtually from the United States, Canada, and globally.
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, among several NHL players close to the family who attended, reflected, “It really shows how close they were as a family and how much people enjoyed being around them. The immense support from this community and visiting players highlights Johnny, Matty, their legacy, and the entire family. They receive so much support because they are truly wonderful people.”
Beyond commemorating the NHL star “Johnny Hockey” and his brother “Matty,” the event aimed to fund an accessible playground at Archbishop Damiano School, where their mother Jane and sister Kristen are employed. John and Matthew had already started supporting this cause, inspired by their grandmother Marie, who dedicated 44 years to the school before her passing in 2023.
Following the brothers` deaths, this playground project became a central focus for their mother.
Deb Vasutoro, a family friend who conceived the 5K idea, explained that Jane, working daily with children with disabilities, understood the crucial need for the playground. “The playground project had been ongoing for four or five years, but funding was insufficient,” Vasutoro said. “After the boys passed, Jane needed a focus, and she decided, `Let`s build the playground.` It was the ideal way to honor the boys while creating a space for children to laugh and smile.”
Reverend Allain Caparas from Gloucester Catholic High School, the brothers` alma mater where they played hockey while growing up, noted that fundraising for the playground continues their positive influence on the community.
“They continue to impact many lives,” Caparas stated. “Johnny and Matthew lived purposefully, and we are celebrating that legacy.”
Social media reflected widespread support, with mentions from Columbus and Calgary, the NHL cities where John Gaudreau played, and from as far as Ireland and Sweden. Paul O`Connor, whose son Dalton was Matthew`s best friend, received a constant stream of notifications about sign-ups and donations, unable to keep up with his inbox.
Guy and Jane were visibly moved, with tears in their eyes, as they discussed the event. Guy delivered a brief yet heartfelt speech to the attendees.
Having participated in the 5K run, Guy addressed the crowd, saying, “Thank you all for coming. This means a great deal to Jane, our daughters, and the whole family. We dearly miss our sons, and your presence here to honor them means the world to us. Thank you.”
A large crowd, initially in the rain but later under sunshine, included many wearing hockey apparel from various teams. Brady Tkachuk notably wore a “Johnny Hockey” hoodie featuring Gaudreau`s name and number 13.
Along with fellow players Erik Gudbranson, Zach Aston-Reese, Tony DeAngelo, and Buddy Robinson, Tkachuk presented hockey sticks collected from earlier vigils to the race winners.
Erik Gudbranson, who flew in after a trip, remarked, “Our family wouldn`t have missed this. The hockey community is incredibly close. It`s still a tragedy, and we miss the boys deeply.”
The plan is to make this an annual event, potentially hosting it in Calgary and Columbus, cities where John Gaudreau played.
Jane expressed hope for the future: “We felt this was such a meaningful way to honor the boys that we want to continue it. I believe it will only improve each year.”
