Worcester Railers mourn the loss of Matthew Gaudreau: ‘He was just a kid who loved playing hockey’
Former Worcester Railers hockey player Matthew Gaudreau tragically died on Thursday night.
Gaudreau, 29, and his older brother, Johnny Gaudreau, 31, of the Columbus Blue Jackets, were killed while biking in New Jersey. According to the Columbus Dispatcher, the two brothers were in town to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding in Philadelphia on Friday.
Matthew Gaudreau played for the Railers from 2017-2019 and in one game during the 2021-22 season.
The Railers released a statement on Friday morning on the passing of the former forward.
“The Worcester Railers HC Organization is incredibly saddened by the passing of both Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau. They represented the sport of hockey and their family at the highest level both on and off the ice,” the statement read. “Matty will always be remembered as one of the original Railers who helped to guide the organization in our inaugural season. We remember his time spent in Worcester fondly. We offer our deepest condolences to the entire Gaudreau family.”
Both of the Gaudreau brothers played hockey at Boston College before pursuing their careers in professional hockey.
Matthew Gaudreau played in 127 career ECHL games with the Railers and then the Reading Royals from 2017-22, accumulating 100 points (35 goals and 65 assists).
“My heart goes out to the Gaudreau family; I can’t imagine how devastating this is for them. He was such a big part of getting the team off the ground and will always be a part of our Railers family,” said Railers chief operating officer Mike Myers, via the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
“One of the biggest testaments to the kind of person that Matty was was when he came out of retirement during a COVID-stricken year to help our team out for one game on the road in Reading. I texted him on a Wednesday night for a Friday afternoon game to see if he was available, and he turned me down at first because he didn’t think he’d be helpful to the team. When he found out we would potentially not be able to play the game if he didn’t play, he showed up and was able to wear a Railers jersey one last time. He really enjoyed it. He was so grateful after the fact. It brought him back to that joy he would get from playing.
“He was just a kid who loved playing hockey."
Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to the Gaudreau family and friends.
