Johnny Gaudreau put family first, never forgot South Jersey roots even as NHL career blossomed

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Johnny Gaudreau was finally home in New Jersey, the NHL star with show-stopping skills back again this week for a big assist for his family as groomsman in the wedding of baby sister Katie.

Little brother Matthew was part of the wedding party, too. So was the eldest of the four Gaudreau siblings, sister Kristen, the maid of honor. All were looking ahead to one more glorious day in a life seemingly filled with them as the first family of hockey in South Jersey.

The wedding was set for Friday at a Catholic church in New Jersey. Tragedy came the night before when Johnny, 31, and Matt, 29, died after they were hit by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in the Delaware River country south of Philadelphia, police said.

The wedding was put off in a hurricane of grief and shock. Far beyond the rink, the siblings had been as intertwined as any family could be, united like they were smiling in the upper deck of a 2014 Philadelphia Phillies game. Or at a Boston College hockey game from earlier that same year, when the two brothers played for the Eagles.

Katie Gaudreau’s Instagram page is dotted with photos of the siblings goofing off at games, posing next to a Christmas tree, enjoying a day at the New Jersey shore -- snapshots of a tight-knit family whose bond stretched far beyond memories cheering on Johnny and his rise to NHL stardom with Calgary and Columbus.

Fans called him “Johnny Hockey,” a moniker earned for his infectious spirit for the game and eye-popping skills. On NHL rosters, he was simply Johnny Gaudreau.

And on that wedding party list, he was just John Gaudreau. Little Johnny Gaudreau, all of 7 months old, was set to be a ring bearer along sister Noa, who turns 2 in October. She was to be a flower girl for her aunt.

Now there would be no reception or after party in Philadelphia, the city whose teams Johnny rooted for even into adulthood; he once told reporters at an NHL All-Star game once he still rocked a “ lime-green ” beanie in the winter of his support for the Eagles.

Philly hockey fans yearned for years for Gaudreau to come back and play for the Flyers, always hoping he would sign a free-agent deal or for management to acquire him in a trade. His home state Devils even thought they had Gaudreau only for him to sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets two years ago.

“I felt that we were going to be a destination for him," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said.

The idea of playing for the Flyers always held some appeal for Gaudreau, whose parents, Guy and Jane, moved the family from Vermont to New Jersey before the boys were born.

“I have a ton of family here, all my friends,” Gaudreau told a Philadelphia sports radio station in 2017. “All my good friends and kids who I have played with all my life are from South Jersey, so it would be sweet to play here someday.”

The tug came harder after his father's heart attack in 2018. After eight full seasons in Calgary, he decided to return to the U.S., not in New Jersey or Philadelphia but with Columbus.

“(A)s much as I love hockey … family is everything to me," he wrote in The Players' Tribune. “It’s the most important connection I have. And a few years ago, I think I started to realize how much you sacrifice when you give 100% to your career. I felt like I needed to do more to center my family in my life after we experienced some hard times.”

Columbus was more of a fit for his growing family — where perhaps he could walk downtown in anonymity — rather than the ticket and autograph demands, the friends who wanted just a few minutes before the game, the good times often overwhelmed by the distracting pull of playing for one of the hometown teams.

“I always said I wanted to play closer to home, but (Columbus) isn’t too close to where I would get bombarded with friends and family nonstop,” Gaudreau said on the ‘Spittin’ Chiclets ’ podcast in 2022. ”(It’s) basically an open-door policy (where you) come in whenever you want. That’s kind of how we are down the Shore, but if we did it all year, I think it would have gotten a little out of hand at times.”

Gaudreau, though, remained true to his South Jersey roots. He supported area youth hockey programs, including the 43 Oak Foundation, which focuses on furthering education through the sport of ice hockey for underprivileged and diverse youth.

“Johnny, you are a core reason we have been able to get to where we are today as a foundation,” the foundation wrote on Instagram. “Spending time with the kids. Vocalizing your opinions on changing the game. You will be surely missed."

In tribute to both brothers — Matthew played in the American Hockey League — the statement said it would “keep the sticks out at the door step.”

Gaudreau had hosted a golf tournament in New Jersey to raise money toward scholarships at Gloucester Catholic High School, which he attended and was a centerpiece for the family. Matt coached the Gloucester Catholic hockey team, a program his father helped found, and the brothers and Katie were all graduates.

Gaudreau's last trip home should have been one to savor for all the right reasons. Dances and toasts. Pictures in front of Philly landmarks. Maybe even a late-night cheesesteak run — both Gaudreau and the expected bride and groom were “ team Geno’s! ”

What's left instead for those who knew him, who chanted for “Johnny Hockey,” is sadness for a family forever shattered.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

FILE - Quinnipiac goalie Michael Garteig (34) makes the save on a shot by Boston College forward Matthew Gaudreau (21) during the first period of an NCAA Frozen Four semifinal NCAA college hockey game Thursday, April 7, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Boston College NCAA college hockey player Johnny Gaudreau celebrates his goal against Notre Dame during the third period of quarterfinal round match at the Hockey East Tournament in Chestnut Hill, Mass., March 15, 2014. (Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via AP)

FILE - Columbus Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau (13) plays against the Nashville Predators during the second period of an NHL hockey game, April 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

FILE - Columbus Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau (13) awaits the face-off during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, file)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi made a successful return after a lengthy absence, scoring two goals and assisting on the third to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.

The Argentine star winger and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had not played with Inter Miami since June 1 because of national team commitments and a right ankle injury sustained in a 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final on July 14.

“A little bit tired because of the heat and humidity of Miami but I wanted to return so much after such a long time away,” Messi said in Spanish on the Apple TV broadcast after the game. “I started training with the group and began to feel better.”

Messi, who resumed practicing three weeks ago, showed no rust or ill-effects from the injury with his performance. He scored twice in a four-minute span midway through the first half that negated an early goal by Philadelphia.

“What he did was more typical than other things that happened tonight,” Inter Miami coach coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said in Spanish. “I am happy that he finished the game and completed the 90 minutes. He felt fine.”

Without Messi, Miami went 8-2 and clinched an MLS playoff spot. Miami (19-4-5) also took the lead in the Supporters Shield table with 62 points.

“It’s nice to see that his injury has healed and that he’s as effective as he was before,” Inter Miami midfielder Julian Gressel said.

Luis Suárez had one assist and clinched Miami’s win with a strike on Messi’s assist during second half stoppage time. It was Suárez’s 17th goal of the season.

Messi’s first goal in the 26th minute evened it at 1-all. Suárez sent a short pass near the large area, where Messi retrieved it, outmaneuvered Union defender Kai Wagner into the box and converted a shot that landed inside the left post.

Four minutes later, Messi received a crossing pass inside the box and beat Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick with a 15-yard shot.

Suárez had a goal in the 44th minute overturned after a video review ruled an offside infraction.

“As the game progressed we ran the risk of not controlling the ball,” Martino said. “From the last 30 minutes of the first half we managed to handle the ball better.”

Messi’s mended ankle absorbed a kick by Philadelphia midfielder Quinn Sullivan in the 67th minute as both battled for a loose ball. Messi fell to the ground and favored the ankle but quickly stood and continued playing. Match referee Sergii Boiko assessed yellow cards to Sullivan and Martino, who argued for a stiffer infraction against Sullivan.

Seeking the equalizer, Philadelphia (7-12-9) pressured repeatedly throughout the second half before Messi centered a pass to Suárez and he converted from 18 yards.

Before his absence, the 37-year-old Messi had 12 goals and 13 assists in 12 league matches this season.

Fans barely settled in when Union forward Mikael Uhre stunned the home crowd with a goal two minutes into the match.

Messi had his first scoring opportunity in the seventh minute with a free kick near the half circle that was cleared by a wall of Philadelphia defenders.

For Inter Miami, the victory came with a price. Defender David Martinez left early in the first half because of a groin injury and his replacement Noah Allen also was removed after what Martino said was a blow to the head.

“We have to take it day by day and see how they recover and how they feel,” Martino said.

Both clubs continue league play with road matches on Wednesday. Inter Miami will visit Atlanta on Tuesday while the Union visit New York City FC on Tuesday.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba (18) jumps over Philadelphia Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (11) during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Philadelphia Union defender Nathan Harriel (26) and Inter Miami midfielder Diego GÛmez (20) go after the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Philadelphia Union midfielders Jack McGlynn (16) and Leon Flach (31) defend Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Teammates celebrate a goal by Philadelphia Union forward Mikael Uhre (7) during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Inter Miami, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender (1) is unable to catch a goal by Philadelphia Union forward Mikael Uhre (7) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Inter Miami head coach Tara Mendoza reacts to a call by a referee after Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) collided with a Philadelphia Union player during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender (1) deflects a corner kick during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Philadelphia Union, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) its hugged by his teammates after scoring his second goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Philadelphia Union, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks the ball away from Philadelphia Union midfielder Leon Flach (31) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)