Florida Panthers Star Matthew Tkachuk Reflects on the Death of Friend Johnny Gaudreau
Matthew Tkachuk shared that he tells stories about Johnny Gaudreau at least once a week, recalling both his on-ice and off-ice moments.
Tkachuk opened up on Wednesday about the tragic loss of his longtime friend and former teammate, describing Gaudreau as “the most offensively talented player I’ve ever seen.” Gaudreau, along with his brother Matthew, tragically died on August 29 after being struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in rural New Jersey.
“It was such an honor to play with him,” Tkachuk stated during Florida’s media day, the first official event of the Panthers’ new season as they prepare to defend their Stanley Cup title. “You all saw what he did on the ice. I was fortunate to have a great relationship with him off the ice. Those are the memories I will cherish. But it’s been terrible. It really has.”
Tkachuk and Gaudreau were teammates in Calgary for six seasons, until Tkachuk was traded to Florida in the summer of 2022, the same offseason Gaudreau signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The brothers were killed near their childhood home in South Jersey, just before they were set to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding. The driver involved has been charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
“It’s been terrible,” Tkachuk said. “It really has.”
Leave a Reply