John Tortorella and the Flyers Offer Support to Grieving Gaudreau Family
In an offseason marked by personal tragedy, the Philadelphia Flyers have rallied around Guy Gaudreau, whose sons, John and Matthew, were killed by a suspected drunk driver on August 29. The incident occurred just a day before their sister Katie's wedding, casting a pall over what should have been a joyous family occasion.
New Role for Guy Gaudreau
Amid this heartache, Guy Gaudreau accepted an invitation from Flyers head coach John Tortorella to assist with drills during practice. Tortorella explained the process, saying, "He was hesitant at first, and we kind of let him go at his timetable." This compassionate approach allowed Gaudreau to assimilate into the team environment at his own pace.
During practice, Tortorella handed Gaudreau his camp book, signaling a desire for meaningful involvement. "I think it worked out really well today," Tortorella remarked. "We'll check in next week and see if we can get him out here a couple more times and have him be part of it." He emphasized that the goal is for Gaudreau's participation to be more than symbolic. "I don't want it to be, 'Just come out here.' I want him to be part of it. I think it will be therapeutic for him to be around us and run some drills."
A Community of Support
The Flyers organization is familiar with Gaudreau's work and presence. Tortorella noted, "A lot of people know him in the organization because of his reputation." Indeed, Gaudreau has long been a fixture in the New Jersey hockey community, mentoring young players at Hollydell Ice Arena and Gloucester Catholic High School.
Tortorella's rallying of support doesn't end on the ice. He attended the brothers' funeral in a Philadelphia suburb, paying his respects and offering solace to the grieving family. Reflecting on the courage displayed by the family, Tortorella said, "I thought the two wives were so strong in how they handled themselves. No one can imagine. No one can. I'm hoping to get to know the family. I think a number of coaches want to get to know the family, the girls, Matt's family. It's just horrible what happened. It's still pretty fresh. It's here. It's with us. Down the street. We just want to be part of it and try and help."
Continuing John Gaudreau's Legacy
John Gaudreau, who spent his first eight NHL seasons with the Calgary Flames, joined the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022 with a seven-year, $68 million deal. This move not only marked a new chapter in his professional career but also brought his family closer to the Flyers community, facilitating the recent collaboration with Tortorella.
John Gaudreau's widow, Meredith Gaudreau, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the Flyers' gesture. "John & Matty would love this. They're both so proud of their dad, I know this made them smile as they watched down from heaven."
In closing, Tortorella underscored the team's intent to assist Gaudreau through this difficult time without making it a prolonged public spectacle. "We don't want it to be an everyday story. We just want to help. To be in a locker room, coach to coach, player to coach, guys talking to him, I just hope it helps a little bit."
The Flyers' embrace of the Gaudreau family serves as a reminder of the deep connections within the hockey community. In rallying around one of their own, they exemplify the spirit of solidarity and compassion that transcends the sport.