Johnny Gaudreau‘s sister, Katie Gaudreau-Joyce, has welcomed her first child and paid tribute to her late brother through her son’s name.
Katie announced on Instagram that she and her husband Devin Joyce welcomed a baby boy named Matthew Guy Joyce on Saturday, June 20. The newborn’s middle name, Guy, is the same middle name Johnny Gaudreau used throughout his hockey career.
“The moment our hearts grew bigger than we ever imagined. Welcome to the world, sweet boy,” Katie wrote alongside photos of her son.
The birth comes less than two years after the deaths of Johnny and his younger brother Matthew Gaudreau.
The brothers were killed on Aug. 29, 2024 after they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while riding bicycles in New Jersey. They had been in town for Katie’s wedding and were returning from her rehearsal dinner when the crash happened.
Katie and Devin postponed their wedding for nearly a year following the tragedy and were married in July 2025.
Johnny, known across the hockey world as “Johnny Hockey,” played 10 full seasons in the NHL. He spent his first eight years with the Calgary Flames before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets on a seven-year, $68 million contract in 2022.
Both Johnny and Matthew left behind young families. Johnny is survived by his wife, Meredith and their children, Noa and Johnny Jr., while Matthew’s wife Madeline gave birth to their son, Tripp after his death.
The Gaudreau brothers’ bond left a lasting impact on their family
The Gaudreau family has often spoken about the close relationship Johnny and Matthew shared. During the brothers’ funeral in September 2024 their wives Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau, described them as inseparable both on and off the ice.
“Everything was always John and Matty,” Meredith said while speaking at the service. “I know John would not have been able to live a day without his brother.”
Meredith also shared that she was pregnant with the couple’s third child, calling the news a total surprise.
“John was beaming and so excited,” she said. “His reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me.”
Madeline similarly remembered the brothers.
“John took care of Matty, and Matty would take care of John,” she said. “You do not hear one name without the other. They were so extremely proud of each other.”
After the funeral Meredith’s father Ed Morris, said the family hoped people would remember the way the brothers lived their lives.
“John and Matty will be so happy if the world learned about how they lived their life and we all improved our lives as a result,” Morris said.
Nearly two years later Katie’s decision to name her son Matthew Guy is another reminder of how deeply Johnny and Matthew continue to be missed by those closest to them.
Edited by Sonali Verma
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