How do you battle grief? Unfortunately, there’s no single answer. And the hockey community was reminded of that as it remains in disbelief over the significant loss of the talents that were Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Though it’s not easy to process, sometimes remembrance is the best balm. After all, what is grief if not love persevering?

Though months have passed since that tragic day, the outpouring of love and tributes remains a constant. And the latest tribute deeply moved Matthew’s wife, Madeline. It came from the Omaha Lancers—a junior hockey team in the UHSL. But it isn’t just any team; it’s the team where Matthew Gaudreau showcased his skills from 2011 to 2013. During his time there, he played in 106 games, netting 15 goals and providing 25 assists.

Well, how did they choose to honor him? They posted a set of images of custom Matthew Gaudreau warmup jerseys. The post was captioned, “Coming soon… Your Omaha Lancers will be wearing these special edition Matthew Gaudreau warmup jerseys that will be auctioned off at the game on our Matthew Gaudreau night on Saturday, April 5th against Dubuque with all proceeds going to the John & Matthew Gaudreau foundation. 🧡🖤”

What did Madeline say in response? She commented heart emojis on the post, as did her sister-in-law, Meredith Gaudreau. She also reshared the post, writing, “Where it all started with us,” on her Instagram story.

But you may ask, what does that mean exactly? Well, not only was this an excellent tribute to their former player who dedicated part of his formative years to the team, but it also marked the beginning for Matthew and Madeline. It was during his Lancers years that the pair entered a relationship. Their love story began in their teenage years, 2013, and they shared nearly 15 years together before his untimely death.

For those who closely follow the sport, it’s likely you’ve witnessed their celebrations and the frequent social media posts they shared about one another. This included their engagement in 2019 and their subsequent marriage in 2021. Madeline and her late husband formed a truly devoted couple, and she continues to pay tribute to him in numerous heartfelt ways.

An emotional note following Matthew Gaudreau’s tragic departure

Madeline, the wife of Matthew Gaudreau, expressed her grief on social media after the accident, saying, “I have no words. I just miss you. I don’t know my life without you. I have never experienced a pain like this. I am so blessed you choose me to be your wife.. to love me. you are the best thing about me. I know you are watching down in just as much pain as I am looking up. I will keep going for you and our son. I love you so much Matthew.”

They spent 15 years together, but this tragic incident tore them apart. However, Matthew has remained a part of Madeline even after his departure. Think, for instance, of the theme of her baby shower. “Heaven Sent” was the title. Calling it the “Baby Shower of my Dreams 🤍🕊️,” Madeline wrote, “The way you were able to tie in my husband brought instant tears when I walked in. All my friends and family, nothing will bring his dad back or uncle john, but I am glad he has so many amazing people around him to remind him how amazing they are 💙”

Despite how difficult Matthew’s untimely death was for her, she was grateful to have this network of support during these difficult moments. Additionally, Madeline wrote “Our Boy 🦋,” after the birth of their son Tripp. In addition, the photo showed her wearing a bracelet with the names “Tripp” and “Matty,” signifying her continued bond with her late husband. These little actions demonstrate the couple’s unwavering and eternal devotion.