Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau shared some of their brightest moments on the ice at Boston College, where they played seven combined seasons, one of which came together.
The BC community was among those mourning Friday when both brothers were tragically killed in an alleged drunk driving accident in their New Jersey hometown.
“They were such a joy to coach,” longtime BC coach Jerry York said in an interview with CBS Boston. “Each coach wants to have the best practice today and they would make it the best practice when they stepped on the ice because they were so creative, so full of energy. We are going to miss them unbelievably.”
Johnny Gaudreau was a star forward at Boston College. AP
Boston College hockey head coach Jerry York and his Eagles celebrate with the
national championship trophy after Boston College took on Ferris State in the
2012 Men’s Frozen Four National Championship Game. Boston Globe via Getty ImagesAs a freshman in 2012, Johnny Gaudreau helped Boston College to a national title, scoring a highlight-reel goal in the national championship game against Ferris State with three minutes to go, all but handing the Eagles the trophy.
He later won the 2014 Hobey Baker Award as the best player in the sport.
York compared Gaudreau’s passing abilities to Larry Bird’s, telling CBS Boston, “He knew where everyone was and could make all the passes.”
Follow the NY Post’s coverage on NHL star Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic death at 31:
- Johnny Gaudreau’s 1-year-old son serenaded by fans on birthday in heartwarming scene
- Driver who fatally struck NHL’s Johnny Gaudreau and his brother says they were drunker than him at the time
- Accused drunk driver Sean Higgins pleads not guilty in death of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, his brother Matthew
- Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, brother struck and killed by car while riding bikes a day before sister’s wedding: ‘Unimaginable tragedy’
- Johnny Gaudreau’s wife honors NHL star with moving tribute after devastating alleged drunk driver crash: ‘Best years of my life’
- Matthew Gaudreau’s wife pays tribute to dad-to-be in heart-wrenching posts: ‘Never experienced pain like this’
- Canadiens star Cole Caufield reveals touching plan to honor Johnny Gaudreau
- Fans’ Johnny Gaudreau memorial leaves NHL’s Flames ‘speechless’
- GoFundMe for Matthew Gaudreau’s family has raised over $500K after tragic death
Current BC coach Greg Brown, an assistant on York’s staff at the time, told CBS Boston that Gaudreau “put us over the edge” in winning the title.
“They were special kids and we were fortunate to have them in our lives,” Brown told the outlet.
Brothers Johnny Gaudreau #13 and Matthew Gaudreau #21 of
the Boston College Eagles celebrate after the Eagles beat the
Northeastern University Huskies to win their fifth Beanpot
Championship in a row in NCAA hockey action in the
championship game of the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament
at TD Garden on February 10, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. Getty ImagesKevin Hayes, a teammate of Gaudreau’s at BC, also posted a tribute to Gaudreau on Instagram.
“Love you John! Say hello to Beau’s dad for me,” he wrote, alongside a photo of his nephew, Beau, appearing to high-five Gaudreau.
