The entire hockey world is in mourning Friday after the news that Columbus Blue Jackets’ star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, died tragically on Thursday evening.
This devastating news has sent shockwaves across the sporting world, making it difficult for many to find the words and process this sudden loss of life. The brothers were, first and foremost, loving husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons, and “Johnny Hockey” and was an icon and a role model at the community level in hockey as well.
Today, we at The Hockey News – Pittsburgh want to celebrate his life, memory, and career by paying tribute to three of his best moments against the Penguins.
© Russell LaBounty USA TODAY Sports
‘Johnny Hockey’ does it all himself
Johnny registered nine goals and 16 points in 22 games against the Penguins throughout his career. One of the most memorable was on Mar. 13, 2017, when he proved to Pittsburgh and the NHL just why he was known as “Johnny Hockey.”
He showcased his skating ability when he walked through three Penguins, cut his way behind and around the Penguins’ net, and buried a wraparound behind an overcommitted Marc-Andre Fleury in typical Johnny Hockey fashion.
To this day, it is one of his most iconic goals:
Glove-side bullseye
On Oct. 28, 2021, Johnny made a nice defensive play, carried the puck up ice on a 2-on-1, and flicked a perfectly painted shot past then-Penguins’ goaltender Casey DeSmith to give the Calgary Flames the lead in the first period.
His first 2021-22 campaign goal turned into a career-best season when he put up 40 goals and 115 points and finished second in the NHL scoring race behind only Connor McDavid (123 points).
Putting an end to the Penguins’ season
For a lot of Penguins fans, this one is still fresh. On Apr. 13, 2023 – after losing to the Chicago Blackhawks two days earlier and clinching a missed postseason berth for the first time in 17 years – Pittsburgh hoped to end their season more positively.
But Johnny Hockey turned that on its head entirely.
After the game went into overtime, he took a pass from Columbus defenseman Adam Boqvist for a breakaway. He deked out goaltender Tristan Jarry and put a backhand shot through the five-hole, giving Columbus the OT win and their first win against Pittsburgh since 2019.
Over the course of his 11-year career, Johnny registered 243 goals and 743 points in 763 games.
Johnny’s brother, Matthew, followed in Johnny’s footsteps and played for his older brother’s alma mater, Boston College. He scored a late goal in the 2016 College Hockey Showdown against North Dakota.
In addition to lacing up the skates for Boston College, Matthew played in 127 career ECHL games between the Worcester Railers and Reading Royals, registering 36 goals and 105 points between the two teams.
The Hockey News—Pittsburgh extends its deepest condolences to the Gaudreau family. Johnny and Matthew’s contributions on and off the ice will resonate, and their memory will forever live on in our hearts, in our minds, and on our screens.
Thank you, Johnny Hockey. And thank you, Matthew. Rest in Peace.
