Johnny Gaudreau’s family and NHL fans gather for funeral after he was killed with brother Matthew in bike accident

Family and NHL fans gathered Monday afternoon to remember Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau at their funeral after the brothers were tragically killed in a bicycle accident in New Jersey.

Dozens of mourners gathered at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania for the service. A private viewing was held for the brothers on Sunday.

More than two hours before the service began, loved ones and devoted fans gathered at the church.

In attendance were members of the Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, former Boston College coach Jerry York and numerous members of the hockey community.

Matthew and Johnny were killed in a bicycle accident on August 29, the night before their sister Katie was to be married.

Sean Higgins, 43, an alleged drunk driver accused of killing the brother and sister, was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide after he struck them as they were bicycling on a highway in Salem County, New Jersey.

Dozens of mourners gathered at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania on Monday for the service.

Family members are seen crying as they enter the church for the funeral

The fatal crash happened less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home the night before Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding, which has since been postponed, DailyMail.com has learned.

Higgins appeared virtually for his initial preliminary hearing on Thursday. The judge in the case postponed the hearing until Sept. 13 to give attorneys more time to prepare.

The 43-year-old man is being held in a Salem County, New Jersey jail and has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, reckless driving, possession of an open container and alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Attorneys Matthew Portella and Richard Klineburger III, who hired Higgins, said in a statement: “This is a deeply emotional tragedy that has impacted many people. It is too early in the legal process to make any out-of-court rulings.”

A group of loved ones carry John’s casket into the church on Monday

A group of family and friends carry Matthew’s casket to the funeral service

Fans, current and former players paid tribute to the brothers at candlelight events in Columbus, Ohio, and Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Wednesday night.

Sean Higgins, 43, an alleged drunk driver accused of killing the siblings, was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide after he struck them as they were bicycling on a Salem County highway

A 13-minute, 21-second silent memorial for the brothers was held outside Nationwide Arena in Columbus. Johnny and Matthew played the numbers 13 and 21, respectively.

A slideshow featured photos of the siblings through their childhood, teenage years, college hockey, the pros, weddings, baptisms and more in their lives.

Bagpipes blared outside the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary as thousands turned out to remember Johnny, who was selected 104th overall by the Flames in the 2011 NHL draft.

Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith, whom he married in September 2021, and two young children: a one-year-old daughter, Noa, and a son, Johnny, who was born just six months ago.

The fatal crash happened less than three miles from the Gaudreaus’ home the night before Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s now-postponed wedding. (Photo: Johnny, Katie and Matthew)

Johnny (left) is survived by his wife Meredith and their two young children, Noa and Johnny. Matthew (right) is survived by his wife Madeline, who is expected to give birth to their son, Tripp, in December.

Matthew, meanwhile, is survived by his wife Madeline, just over three years after their wedding in New Jersey. Madeline is expected to give birth to their son, Tripp, in late December.

A GoFundMe page was created to support the widow and her future son. As of Monday afternoon, more than $647,000 had been raised.

Lewis Gross, the brothers’ agent, said Thursday that it took him some time to write about what it meant to him to represent the brothers over the past 15 years.

“Hockey may be over, but my commitment to John and Matt will last a lifetime,” Gross wrote on social media. “These guys taught me so much. They taught me what family really means.”