New Playground Dedicated to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in New Jersey

<p>The Gaudreau family dedicated a new adaptive playground for children with special needs at Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, New Jersey, in memory of NHL players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. The playground is named "The Gaudreau Brothers' Wings of Hope & Chrysalis Corner."</p><p>Jane Gaudreau, the brothers' mother, expressed pride in the playground's dedication, stating, "When the sign was unveiled, all I kept thinking about was the boys, how they would be so excited to see this." The playground was funded primarily through The Gaudreau Family 5K event, which raised approximately 98 percent of the necessary funds.</p><p>Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau died in August 2024 after being struck by an alleged drunk driver while biking in New Jersey. At the time of his death, Johnny was playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets after previously spending nearly a decade with the Calgary Flames. Matthew had played college hockey at Boston College and later in the AHL and ECHL.</p><p>Earlier this year, Johnny Gaudreau was honored at the Olympic Games in Milan when the U.S. Men's Hockey team won gold, with the team taking post-game photos with a No. 13 jersey in his memory. Sean M. Higgins, the individual accused of causing the brothers' deaths, faces multiple charges, including aggravated manslaughter, with his next court date scheduled for June 16.</p>