Two brothers passed away last Thursday night.

One family lost two brothers. One family lost two sons. One family lost two husbands. One family lost two fathers.

This is a tragedy that transcends hockey. This is a tragedy that should hit us all as human beings that ride on this rock.

Because we all have ridden a bike.

Because we all have driven a car.

Because we know somebody who has driven while intoxicated.

I saw Johnny Gaudreau play in person a handful of times, most of them while he was with the Flames. On any given shift, there was a better than 75% chance that he was the smallest player on the ice. But what he lacked in height, he made up for with speed and skill.

Gaudreau went to free agency after the 21-22 season. He literally could have played for any team. The Flames reportedly offered him several eight-year contract proposals for Gaudreau to return. Instead, he signed a 7-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

I remember my reaction when I heard that news. The clean version is: “Why in the hell would one of the most dynamic players in the world sign with a rebuilding team in Columbus?”

I never saw Matthew Gaudreau play hockey. During his freshman season at Boston College, Matthew played with Johnny (who was in his last season at BC). He had a solid four-year career at BC. He helped lead BC to the Frozen Four in 2014 and 2016. Matthew bounced around the minors for a few seasons before settling into a coaching career. He coached at his alma mater, which was Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey. In 2024, he was coaching with the West Chester Wolves, a Pennsylvania team that was close to his family in New Jersey.

Johnny and Matthew’s decisions about their livelihoods were based on one thing– family.

Columbus is about a seven-hour drive from Pedricktown, NJ. The West Chester Wolves are based 30 minutes away. The Gaudreau family was as tight as could be. The parents kept the boys’ bedrooms untouched ever since the brothers had lived there. The rooms became shrines to the brothers’ hockey successes. Trophies, banners, hockey cards, lanyards, plaques … important family memories.

I first heard rumors of the tragedy on Thursday night. Like many other hockey fans, I scoured Twitter and the internet, looking for any reports that would confirm that these were all just malicious rumors. Minutes became hours. Thursday turned to Friday. I fell asleep with my laptop and my phone by my side.

I woke up to confirmation. Johnny and Matthew were gone.

The tributes made me emotional. I stayed off socials on Friday. Johnny was 31; Matthew was 29. Tragedies like this are not supposed to happen to people so young.

Johnny’s widow, Meredith, posted on Instagram. It was heartbreaking. His passing now leaves two little kids without their father.

Matthew’s widow, Madeline, is expecting a baby boy in December. Now he’s going to grow up without his father.

The brothers were supposed to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding over the weekend. The whole family had gathered to celebrate. Now, they gather to mourn.

I prayed that it was a tragic accident. But it wasn’t. It was a completely avoidable series of events.

We can be angry at the person who caused these two brothers to be taken from the family. We can be angry that the brothers were riding bikes on this particular stretch of highway. We can be angry at the circumstances that the families have to endure as a result of this senseless act. These feelings are not mutually exclusive.

The loss that this family must endure is unfathomable. I can’t imagine the pain, and I pray that I never have to experience a similar loss.

Do you want to donate to the Go Fund Me set up for Meredith and Tripp? You can do so here.

Here’s something that you can do that costs absolutely nothing– vow to never drive while impaired or intoxicated.

The next time you go to a game, a concert, a party, or a bar, don’t drink and drive. It’s 2024. We don’t have to be idiots anymore. Call a taxi. Take an Uber or Lyft. Call a friend. Call a loved one.

I’ve driven intoxicated before. I’m not holier than thou. I made mistakes and I was lucky. I’m not about to do it again. It’s not worth it.

I’m doing it for my family and friends. And for me.

And for Johnny and Matthew.

Rest easy, boys.