Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's Former Coach Says He's 'Beside Himself' Over Their Deaths: 'I Miss Them'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jerry York and Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.Photo:Charles Krupa/AP; Richard T Gagnon/Getty

Charles Krupa/AP; Richard T Gagnon/Getty

Jerry York, the former coach of Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, is reacting to their deaths.

York described the brothers’ deaths as a “nightmare” in an interview withCNNon Friday, Aug. 30.

Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29,died in a biking accidentclose to their hometown of Salem County, New Jersey, on Thursday, Aug. 29, PEOPLE previously confirmed. They were in the area to appear as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding the following day.

Johnny and Matthew died in a biking incident on Aug. 29.Richard T Gagnon/Getty

Richard T Gagnon/Getty

York recalled more memories of the brothers and their family in his conversation with CNN, telling the outlet, “I love the family … [They] came to every game. To try to imagine what their family is going through … it’s just so difficult for me. But they’re a wonderful family.”

He then called the brothers’ mom Jane and dad Guy “Hall of Fame parents” who “were always front and center” at their matches. “[They] produced two sons that left a remarkable mark on Boston college students, athletes and alumni. Just terrific young guys,” reflected York.

The former coach also said that Johnny and Matthew’s deaths have left everybody in the hockey community “stunned.”

“Everybody’s stunned from Olympic teammates, to Calgary teammates, to Columbus teammates, to all of Boston College here,” York told CNN. “… ‘Johnny Hockey,’ as they all fondly called him, and his younger brother Matt were just hockey people. They loved hockey.”

The former coach next described the brothers as “remarkable” on the ice. He concluded, “God, I miss them already.”

The brothers' former coach York has shared his reaction to their deaths (pictured in 2012).Charles Krupa/AP

Charles Krupa/AP

Johnny and Matthew were biking on Country Route 551 North just after 8 p.m. on Aug. 29 when a driver fatally hit them after attempting to pass another car, New Jersey State Police previously told PEOPLE.

Matthew, meanwhile, played for several minor league teams, and in the last two years, he was head coach of their high school team, Gloucester Catholic High in New Jersey, perElite Prospects.

The brothers pictured in 2018 on Instagram.Matty Gaudreau/instagram

Matty Gaudreau/instagram

They added, “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”

source: people.com