May 31, 2025, 03:19 PM ET
SEWEL, N.J. — A few days after brothers John and Matthew Gordlow died when they were hit by a driver on a bike on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding, family friends were visiting their parents and Jane at home during the storm. Looking out after the sky was cleaned, they saw a double rainbow, bringing them a momentary peace.
Since then, Jane Gaudlow had not got any indications she had attributed to her son, so she sat in their room on Friday and called for some divine intervention to clear the bad weather in time for the event to honor their heritage. After scaring tornado viewing the night before, a rainbow appeared on Saturday morning about an hour before the sun came out for the first Gaudrow Family 5K walk/run and Family Day.
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“I felt very relieved,” Jane said. “I was like, ‘Well, I have my signature.’ ”
Thousands of events attended at Washington Lake Park in southern New Jersey. John and Matthew went hundreds of times as children and turned the corner from Hollydell Ice Arena, where they started playing hockey. Approximately 1,100 people took part in walks or runs, along with virtually over 1,300 people in the US, Canada and around the world.
“I think it’s a family that talks about how close they were and how everyone loved being around them,” said Ottawa Senator Captain Brady Tokachuk, who was one of the handful of NHL players who pointed out that he was close to Gaudrey and was there. “We’re also here to travel with support from this community and other players. We’re talking a lot about Johnny, Matty, their legacy and this family, how much they support them because they’re such amazing people.”
Hockey players Buddy Robinson, Brady Tokachuk, Eric Gudblanson, Tony DeAngelo and Zac Aston Reese attended Saturday’s first Gaudrow family 5K event, honoring Johnny and Matthew Gaudrow, who died in a tragic accident last year. AP Photo/Stephen Whyno
In addition to honouring the NHL star known as “Johnny Hockey,” and the younger brother that family and friends call Matty, the event’s goal was to raise funds for an accessible playground at Archbishop Damiano School where Jane and his daughter Kristen work. That was what caused John and Matthew to start advocating in honour and advocacy for their grandmother Marie, who spent 44 years at school and died in 2023.
It became a project for their mothers after their death.
“Jane works with children with disabilities every day and knew how important it was for a play area to be built,” said Deb Vasotro, a family friend who came up with the idea for 5K. “The playground was a four- to five-year project and I don’t think there was enough funding. When the boys passed and Jane needed a purpose, she thought, “Let’s build a playground.” It was the perfect marriage to honor the boys and do something good to see the kids laughing and smiling. ”
Pastor Alainkapala from Gloucester Catholic High School, whose brothers attended and played hockey, said raising funds for the playground was an extension of the impact they had on the community.
“They continue to make a difference in the lives of many others,” Kapala said. “Johnny and Matthew lived purposefully and are now celebrating it.”
Social media is filled with references from people in Columbus and Calgary, the NHL cities played by John Gaudreau, and far into Ireland and Sweden. Paul O’Connor, who was tight with the Gaudlow family of his son Dalton and Matthew’s childhood best friends, was unable to empty his inbox as he continued to receive notifications about signing up and donations.
“It’s just growing,” O’Connor said. “And those who weren’t here, they’re doing virtual [5K]. If neither can they just throw money into the cause. ”
Tears erupted in Guy and Jane’s eyes as they spoke about the event. His speech to the crowd was short and touching at the same time.
“I want to thank you all for coming,” the man said after running 5K. “It really means a lot to Jane, the girls and family. We miss boys. Being here to honor my boys means so much. Thank you.”
The sea of people first in the rain, and the sunlight included people in the whole hockey gear. Tkachuk wore a “Johnny Hockey” hoodie with the Gaudreau name.
He handed over sticks collected from various vigils from late August to early September, winning race winners alongside fellow players Eric Gudbranson, Zach Aston Reese, Tony DeAnguero and Buddy Robinson.
“Our family wouldn’t have missed this,” Good Branson said after flying Friday night after a trip to Walt Disney World. “Hockey is a very tight community. It’s still a tragedy. We miss boys.”
The aim is to move the event forward, potentially in Calgary and Columbus.
“This thought it would be a great thing to honor the boys we want to keep it,” Jane said. “Every year, I think it gets better and better.”
