Widows Of NHL Star, Brother Launch Charity In Their Honor After Deadly NJ Crash

SALEM COUNTY, NJ — The widows of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, have launched a charity.

The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, announced this week, will honor the memory of the brothers who were killed by an alleged drunk driver in South Jersey last summer.

The charity says its mission is to aid youth ice hockey initiatives, hockey families that have faced tragedy and other families impacted by drunk driving.

Johnny's widow, Meredith Gaudreau, and Matthew's widow, Madeline Gaudreau, are the foundation's co-presidents.

"John and Matty made a tremendous and everlasting impact on everyone who knew them," Meredith and Madeline said in a statement. "In addition to their hockey talents, the boys were known for their kindness. The Foundation’s purpose is to continue giving back to what the boys are passionate about and to ultimately continue to make a positive impact on the world in their honor."

Johnny and Matthew grew up in Salem County and lived there at the time of their deaths. They developed their hockey skills at Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell, where their father coached youth and served as the longtime hockey director.

Both brothers played hockey at Boston College. Johnny, nicknamed "Johnny Hockey, "went on to become a seven-time NHL All-Star, most recently competing for the Calgary Flames.

Matthew played several year in the minors before returning to South Jersey and coaching hockey.

A drunk driver struck and killed Johnny and Matthew while the brothers rode bicycles on the roadway Aug. 29 in Salem County, according to prosecutors.

The brothers were set to be groomsmen at their sister's wedding, which was scheduled for the next day.

Both of their wives were pregnant when they died. Madeline gave birth a few month's later to her first child with Matthew. Meredith's third baby with Johnny is due to arrive in April, according to the foundation's website.

Legal proceedings are still underway for Sean Higgins, the man accused of driving drunk and fatally striking the Gaudreau brothers. Last month, Higgins denied a 35-year plea deal through his attorneys, who are seeking to get the case dismissed.

Higgins is due back in court April 15 for a final disposition conference.

Find out more about the foundation.