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Fan’s Tearjerking Costume Pays Tribute to Gaudreau Brothers Killed in Crash


An 11-year-old hockey fan paid tribute to Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau, who were fatally struck by a car while cycling, with his innovative costume.

Blake Mompher, an Ohio resident and Columbus Blue Jackets fan, dressed up as a hockey player inside of a penalty box. Mompher has spina bifida and his family builds his costume around his wheelchair every year.

The front of the penalty box said “Gaudreau” and the numbers 13 and 21, which were the brother’s jersey numbers.

Blake Mompher, 11, transformed his wheelchair into a penalty box featuring a tribute to Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau. The brothers were fatally struck while cycling by a suspected drunk driver in August.

Facebook and Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images

NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew Gaudreau were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver while they were riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey on August 29.

Mompher’s costume took about two weeks to create. The family used wood, Plexiglass and cardboard to make the penalty box.

Megan Mompher, Blake’s mother, said the penalty box was “probably our favorite and most special costume to date” on Facebook.

Who were the Gaudreau brothers?

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, was a forward on the Columbus Blue Jackets. His NHL career started in 2011 when he was drafted to the Calgary Flames. Fans called him “Johnny Hockey.”

Matthew Gaudreau, 29, played hockey with his brother at Boston College and went on to coach hockey at his alma mater, Gloucester Catholic High School.

Hundreds gathered to remember the brothers at their funeral at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church last month.

funeral
The remains of Matthew Gaudreau arrives for his and his brother Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player John Gaudreau’s funeral at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pa., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Meredith Gaudreau said her husband Johnny “didn’t have a bad bone in his body” in her remarks at the funeral.

“He never spoke badly about anyone,” Meredith said. “Most humble person I’ve ever met, zero ego, quiet, sweet and shy. He was everything, more than I only dreamt about finding in a husband, and then he made all my dreams come true.”

The couple shared two young children together, and Meredith revealed that she was pregnant with their third child.

“I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby, a total surprise, but again John was beaming and so excited,” she said. “I was so nervous because this was, again, a total surprise, but his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me, even though I was driving the car.”

Matthew Gaudreau was also expecting a child with his wife Madeline. She spoke out against drunk driving at the funeral.

Madeline Gaudreau
Madeline Gaudreau shared her memories with her husband Matthew, who she met in high school.

Columbus Blue Jackets

“I urge everyone to never drink and drive, call a ride,” she said. “Please do not put another family through this torture. The loss of Matty and John will leave a hole in the family, with his close friends, the community for eternity. However, their legacy will live on through the lives of everyone they touched, their kids, their wives, their parents, their siblings.”

Who is Sean Higgins?

The driver of the vehicle, 43-year-old Sean Higgins, is facing multiple charges including two counts of vehicular homicide.

Higgins allegedly hit the brothers from behind while trying to pass two cars. He is being held at Salem County Correctional Facility.

Sean M. Higgins
Sean M. Higgins was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. He is being held at Salem County Correctional Facility.

Salem County Correctional Facility

“Motor vehicles are clearly dangerous instrumentalities, and they can and do, in many cases become lethal,” Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio said at Higgins’ detention hearing. “Especially when one operates not only under the influence but in what apparently was an aggressive manner, operating at an excessive rate of speed and by the defendant’s own admission consuming several beers prior to operating the vehicle, apparently even during his operation of the motor vehicle.”

Higgins is expected to appear in court for a pre-indictment conference on November 12.

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