NHL writer Frank Seravalli slammed after ‘disgusting’ comment about Johnny Gaudreau’s death
Hockey writer Frank Seravalli has been forced to apologize for a “disgusting” comment he made about late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau.
In August, Gaudreau and his younger brother Matt were killed on the eve of their sister’s wedding when they were hit by a suspected drunk driver while bicycling in New Jersey. The former Columbus star was only 31.
The hockey world was rocked by the death, with Johnny’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, later revealing that she is pregnant with their third child.
Now, Seravalli has come under fire after naming the late player among his 32 ‘bold’ predictions for the upcoming NHL season.
“With a little help from Gaudreau, the Columbus Blue Jackets will win the 2025 Draft Lottery. It is the only consolation prize for a cruel year,” he wrote, according to A screenshot posted online.
Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matt were murdered on the eve of their sister’s wedding
“I’m sorry and I promise I will get better,” hockey writer Frank Seravalli said after his comments
One user called it “disgusting at best,” while another called on the writer to “step away from his position.”
Other images on social media claim to show the story edited to say “with a little help from above” and then “with a little help from Gaudreau in heaven.”
At the time of writing, the prediction now reads: “The Columbus Blue Jackets will win the 2025 Draft Lottery.”
In the wake of the backlash, the Daily Faceoff writer apologized on social media. “What I wrote and how my poor choice of words was received was not intended to cause hurt or anger,” he said.
“Especially as a member of the Philadelphia hockey community, like so many in the hockey world, I am absolutely devastated by the passing of John and Matty,” he said.
“This tragedy is a difficult subject that we are all grappling with, and what I wrote was never intended to add anything to that. Simply put, I shouldn’t have connected the two. I’m sorry and I promise I’ll get better.’
The Blue Jackets will kick off their season on Thursday, with Columbus set to honor the late NHL star after his death.