Just under a year after the heartbreaking passing of Johnny and Matthew Gordlow, over 1,000 people gathered to remember them during the inaugural Gordlow Family 5K Walk/Run and Family Day, held at Washington Lake Park in southern New Jersey this past Saturday morning. The brothers were familiar with this park from their childhood visits, as it lies near Hollydell Ice Arena, where they began their youth hockey journeys.
Around 1,100 participants joined the walk in person, while over 1,300 others took part virtually from the US, Canada, and worldwide. NHL players including Ottawa Senators star Brady Tkachuk, Columbus Blue Jackets’ Erik Gudbranson and Zach Aston-Reese, as well as New York Islanders’ Tony DeAngelo, attended the event, sharing heartfelt tributes to the brothers. Tkachuk emphasized the close-knit nature of their family and the meaningful legacy Johnny and Matthew left behind.
The event aimed to raise funds to build an accessible playground at Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, New Jersey, a non-profit institution supporting 135 students with disabilities. Jane Gaudrow and her daughter Kristen, family members of Johnny and Matthew, are associated with the school. The playground was a much-needed addition, as the school lacked adequate play facilities.
Johnny and Matthew’s father expressed deep gratitude to those who came to honor their sons, underscoring the significance of this support for their family. Plans are underway for the Gordlow family to hold similar charity events annually, potentially expanding to locations like Calgary and Columbus—cities linked to Johnny Gaudreau’s hockey career.
Many attendees paid tribute by wearing gear in honor of the Gordlow brothers, including Tkachuk’s “Johnny Hockey” hoodies. The event also featured an auction of NHL memorabilia such as signed jerseys. The family entered the event with $400,000 in donations and aimed to reach $600,000, a target they successfully met.
Fan Take: This heartfelt gathering not only commemorates the legacy of Johnny and Matthew Gordlow but also underscores the tight-knit spirit of the hockey community, which rallies together in times of tragedy. Such efforts reinforce the sport’s inclusive values and remind fans everywhere that hockey is much more than a game—it’s a family dedicated to supporting one another on and off the ice.
