Boston College is set to pay tribute to the late Gaudreau brothers and Tony Voce throughout the upcoming season. The college will honour former hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, as well as Tony Voce, with various tributes, including uniform patches and a sign on the boards in front of the team bench.
Tragically, all three players passed away over the summer. The Gaudreau brothers were involved in a fatal accident while cycling in New Jersey the day before their sister’s wedding. On the other hand, Voce, a member of the Eagles’ 2001 national championship team, passed away at the age of 43 due to undisclosed reasons.
The school has planned several tributes to commemorate their lives, starting with a moment of silence before the Eagles’ home opener against American International College. Additionally, there will be a video tribute, and the players will wear a patch with the initials “TV,” “JG,” and “MG.” These initials will also appear on the boards at the Conte Forum.
For the Hockey East opener against Maine on November 8, all members of the BC team will don jerseys either of Voce or one of the Gaudreau brothers during warmups. The school has also reconfigured its trophy case to honour these players who made significant contributions to the team.
Johnny Gaudreau, also known as “Johnny Hockey,” was the 2014 Hobey Baker Award winner and played 11 seasons in the NHL for the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets. His younger brother, Matthew, was a standout player who led the Eagles in points during his senior year.
Voce, a first team All-American and Hobey Baker Award Finalist in 2004, was a respected member of the hockey community. The tributes from Boston College reflect the profound impact these players had on the sport.
The hockey world continues to mourn the loss of these talented individuals, and Boston College’s gestures serve as a poignant reminder of their enduring legacy in the sport.