BOSTON – A powerful moment of silence and stillness inside Conte Forum Friday, honoring the immeasurable losses of three hockey heroes this summer. BC legends Tony Voce and brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau died suddenly this summer.
“Three great players who played here and were class, great gentlemen and to lose all three at such a young age is just heartbreaking,” said longtime fan Steven Spellman.
Voce, who played on the Eagles’ 2001 national championship team, died suddenly in July; he was 43. The Gaudreaus were killed end of Augusthit by a suspected drunk driver as they drove near their parents’ home in New Jersey the night before their sister’s wedding.
“Magic on the Ice”
“Johnny Gaudreau was absolutely magical on the ice. He could do things with that puck that most people couldn’t do,” Spellman said.
“I knew then that Johnny was going to be a real star. He was always away from the puck. When BC got possession of the puck, he would always be open. He was always the number you looked for to pass on. He was great said fan JT McCarthy.
Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images
This season, the Eagles are playing with patches on their jerseys: the initials of Voce and the Gaudreaus. Many fans in the stands had their own equipment, showing that their love for “Johnny Hockey” was close to their hearts.
“He was just great, great, humble personality. Very talented hockey player. Great family. Just a really great person,” Jill Perez said.
And every time the team takes the ice off their own bench, they skate with the same initials. Skating for them, in the game they will share forever.
July McDonald
