Katie Gaudreau-Joyce, sister of late hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, has welcomed a baby boy and honored her brother by naming the child Matthew Guy Joyce. The child was born on June 20.
This tribute comes after a tragic accident in July 2023, when Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were killed by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles. The incident occurred on the eve of Katie's wedding in New Jersey. Matthew had recently stopped playing professionally, while Johnny was a player for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.
Katie Gaudreau-Joyce and her husband, Devin Joyce, had postponed their wedding for a year following the deaths of her brothers before marrying in July 2025.
Both Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were fathers at the time of their deaths. Johnny is survived by his wife, Meredith, and their daughter, Noa, and son, Johnny Jr. Matthew is survived by his wife, Madeline, and their son, Carter. Madeline Gaudreau was pregnant at the time of her husband's death and later gave birth to their son, Tripp.
The suspect in the crash, Sean Higgins, has pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide. The case has not yet proceeded to trial.