Four Months After His Death, Widow of Coach Matthew Gaudreau Announces Birth of Baby Boy
Four months after his death, the widow of former high school coach Matthew Gaudreau has announced the birth of their first child. Madeleine Gaudreau shared on Instagram that she welcomed a baby boy named Tripp Matthew on Sunday.
Matthew Gaudreau, 29, and his NHL star brother Johnny Gaudreau, 31, were killed in August after being struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bikes on a New Jersey roadway. The incident occurred hours before they were set to serve as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding near Philadelphia.
At the brothers’ joint funeral service in September, Madeleine said her late husband had tears “in his eyes when we first heard Tripp’s heartbeat.” She also said that Matthew was “born to be a dad” and was excited to welcome Tripp into the world.
The brothers were talented hockey athletes who played together at Boston College during the 2013-14 season. Matthew Gaudreau played professionally for five seasons and returned to his alma mater, Gloucester Catholic High School, to work as an ice hockey coach in 2022. Johnny Gaudreau starred in the NHL for 11 seasons with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets before his death.
Earlier this month, a grand jury indicted Sean Higgins, 31, in the deaths of the two brothers. He is charged with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide, two counts of aggravated manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. If convicted, Higgins could face up to 20 years in prison. He is set to be arraigned on January 7.
