On January 10, 2020, I attended a Reading Royals game in the press box. The Royals are proud affiliates with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Philadelphia Flyers. It was a good game, a game in which Reading won 5-2 over the Wheeling Nailers.
It was great seeing Matthew Gaudreau play. Gaudreau was part of the Calgary Flames organization, but was loaned to Reading. He was flying all over the ice, and Gaudreau registered one assist for his efforts. The one thing I liked about his game was patience. Gaudreau would wait for the play to develop, as he was a tough player to take the puck off of.
After Reading won 5-2, PR David Fine asked us who we wanted to interview following the game. We (Media) collectively chose Matthew Gaudreau, Matthew Strome, and Associate Coach Nik Luukko. Gaudreau walked into the room, candid as ever. He stood there smiling a bit, especially after I asked him about his friend Ryan Marker, whom he played hockey with in the Summer. Marker played for the Delaware Thunder in the FPHL, but knew Gaudreau very well, “We play hockey in the Summer with a bunch of friends, a lot of our friends put us (Brother Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew) on the same team, so we don’t call each other a cheater,” Gaudreau said laughing.
Gaudreau answered all questions respectfully, we laughed a bit, and we shook hands following a great interview. He was just a determined hockey player. Another part of the interview that I saw a lot of emotion was when he explained what type of players he was. Gaudreau said he was more of a playmaker, but there was clear emotion on his face when he said he tends to pass up the shot, “My game is more of a playmaker, I’m a pass first type player. I’ve always played that way growing up. If have the opportunity to shoot, sometimes I pass,” Gaudreau continued. “I get mad at myself for it, but it’s a quick game out there. It’s always in the back of my head to pass first.”
It was an honor to meet and get to learn more about Matthew Gaudreau. One thing that was made clear following this interview was how much respect he had for his brother and best friend Johnny. How much care and respect he had for his family. I left the interview loving my family that much more.
This piece is in honor of Matthew Gaudreau. Gone too soon, but forever in our hearts
