Gaudreau Brothers’ Funeral Scheduled for Monday in Philadelphia

The funeral for John and Matthew Gaudreau is set for Monday at a church located in suburban Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the driver charged with their deaths remains incarcerated and is awaiting his next court date.

Services for the Gaudreau brothers will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania. The Columbus Blue Jackets, the team for which John Gaudreau played and who is fondly known as “Johnny Hockey,” has announced that they will stream the memorial service on their official website.

Tragedy struck when the brothers were riding their bicycles in New Jersey just before their sister Katie’s wedding, where they were struck by a suspected drunk driver. The driver, Sean M. Higgins, made a virtual appearance at his initial pretrial hearing on Thursday. The judge decided to delay the hearing until September 13, allowing more time for the legal teams to prepare.

Higgins, who is 43 years old, remains at the Salem County jail, facing charges that include two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, and charges related to consuming alcohol in a vehicle. His attorneys, Matthew Portella and Richard Klineburger III, indicated they are representing Higgins.

In a statement, they expressed that the case is emotional and affects many people. They emphasized that it is premature to make any statements outside of the courtroom as the legal process is still in its infancy.

Members of the hockey community from various states, including Columbus, South Jersey, and Boston College—where the Gaudreau brothers played—are anticipated to attend the funeral. The entire Blue Jackets team will be present, with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also planning to honor the brothers’ memory at the service.

Rev. Eric J. Banecker informed parents that the school at St. Mary Magdalen will be closed on Monday due to the expected large turnout for the funeral. In a letter to the community, he wrote about the need to prioritize safety, acknowledging the overwhelming number of attendees that will be there to pay their respects.

“This will be an extraordinarily large funeral for two young men, one of whom was a professional hockey player,” Banecker noted. He asked for understanding regarding the school closure as it aims to support the grieving families during this difficult time.

In remembrance of John and Matthew, candlelight vigils took place on Wednesday night in Columbus, Ohio, and Calgary, Alberta. Participants gathered for a silent tribute outside the Blue Jackets’ downtown arena, where a slideshow showcased cherished memories of the siblings that reflected their lives from childhood through their professional careers. The vigil saw attendees pause for an emotional 13 minutes and 21 seconds in silence.

In Calgary, the gathering grew to thousands, with fans enthusiastically chanting “Johnny! Johnny!” in tribute to the beloved player.

Lewis Gross, the brothers’ agent for 15 years, shared heartfelt reflections on social media, expressing the impact they had on his life. He recounted how he became part of the Gaudreau family, acknowledging the deep bond they shared.

“I never thought the bad would come as it has,” Gross wrote. He committed his lifelong support to the Gaudreau family, sharing how much he learned about the true meaning of family through his experiences with the brothers.

Obituaries released on Thursday encouraged donations to the John & Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, which will be managed by Gross.

Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey, opened remarks during an event discussing the 2024 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction class, expressing his condolences and continued prayers for the Gaudreau family. Kevin Stevens, one inductee with a longstanding connection to the Gaudreaus, reflected on the recent tragic events as “gut-wrenching” and emphasized the importance of community support during such sorrowful times.