Online fundraiser for Matthew Gaudreau's widow raises more than $500K

 

Following the deaths of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were slain last week while riding their bikes in their native state of New Jersey by a suspected drunk driver, more condolences are being sent from the hockey community.

On Tuesday, Jaromir Jagr shared a video of Gaudreau helping him score his 766th and last goal in the league in 2018 while they were teammates with the Calgary Flames on social media.

“It was a beautiful pass above all,” Jagr wrote in Czech. "Unfortunately, life can be sometimes unbelievably cruel. Thank you, Johnny Gaudreau, that you were here and you gave hope to all those guys by your unbelievable performances that they can succeed at the world class level in the NHL as you managed to do. My sincerely condolences to your family. R.I.P. to you and your brother.”

Contributions also kept coming in to help Madeline, Matthew's widow, who is expecting their first child in December. As of Tuesday at 7 p.m. EDT, more than $560,000 had been raised through a GoFundMe established by Madeline Korbitz's sister, Holland Korbitz, and validated by the online fundraising firm.

More than 7,800 people have contributed, including $2,013 from Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars and $3,000 from the family of New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin. This brings the total amount of donations well over the initial $30,000 goal, with many current and former players from around the league or their significant others listed among them.


The main candidate is Cliff Rucker, owner of the Worcester Railers HC of the ECHL, with whom Matthew played two seasons from 2017 to 2019.

“Maddy, the entire Railers HC family stands shoulder to shoulder with you during this incomprehensibly difficult time for you and your loved ones,” Rucker commented. “You and Matty will always be part of our Railer family, and I hope you can feel the love and support we are sending your way.”

About 8 p.m. on Thursday, the New Jersey State Police said, a man traveling in the same direction in an SUV tried to pass two other cars and hit the Gaudreau brothers from behind while they were riding their bikes on a road in Oldmans Township. At the scene, they were declared deceased.

The driver, Sean M. Higgins, 43, was charged with two charges of death by auto, reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle, according to the police. Higgins was also accused of being under the influence of alcohol. Nothing further regarding the matter, including Higgin's blood alcohol content, was disclosed by the authorities on Tuesday.