Matthew Gaudreau’s widow announces birth of son 4 months after hockey star’s tragic death

Brothers Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau were killed in August when they were struck while riding their bikes

Published Dec 31, 2024  •  2 minute read

Johnny Gaudreau (right) and Matthew Gaudreau (left) with sister Katie (centre) in an undated Instagram photo. The tragic incident happened just hours before the two young men were to serve as groomsmen at Katie’s wedding. Photo by Instagram / @kgaudreau13

Four months after Matthew Gaudreau and his NHL star brother Johnny were tragically killed, his wife Madeline has given birth to their first child. The newborn boy is Tripp Matthew Gaudreau.

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She shared news of the event on her Instagram account on Sunday.

“Tripp Matthew 🤍🦋,” she wrote in the caption, revealing her son’s name. She added, “Mommy & Daddy’s world.”

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The post featured a photo of her holding Tripp’s tiny hand while he laid on a baby blanket alongside a small round sign that read “He’s Here.”

The Gaudreau brothers were killed in August when they were struck while riding their bikes on a New Jersey roadway. The tragic incident happened just hours before the two young men were to serve as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding.

Their deaths drew condolences from the hockey world and beyond.

What we know about the driver who allegedly fatally hit Johnny Gaudreau and his brother

At their joint funeral service in September, Madeline became emotional while delivering a eulogy at the memorial service.

Through tears, Madeline said to the gathered mourners that she knew “Matt will surround his son for the rest of his life.”

Madeleine told the gathered mourners that her late husband had tears “in his eyes when we first heard Tripp’s heartbeat.”

“I know Matt will surround his son for the rest of his life,” she added.

The talented hockey brother played together at Boston College during the 2013-14 season.

File photo from a GoFundMe campaign for Matthew’s wife Madeline and their baby. Photo by GoFundMe

Matthew went on to play professionally for five seasons. Then he returned to Gloucester Catholic High School, the brothers’ New Jersey alma mater, in 2022, as a hockey coach.

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Johnny starred in the NHL for 11 seasons with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets.

A grand jury indicted Sean Higgins, 44, in the brothers’ deaths. He was charged with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide, two counts of aggravated manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident, indictment documents show.

Higgins will be arraigned on Jan. 7. If he is eventually convicted, Higgins could face up to 20 years in prison.

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