Matty Gaudreau wore two uniforms over his ECHL career that saw him play parts of four different seasons. He debuted in the league with the Worcester Railers and played his last ECHL game with the Reading Royals. On Saturday night, it just so happened that Reading was in Worcester for the latter’s home opener.

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The hockey world is still mourning the loss of both Matty and his older brother Johnny Gaudreau who were killed after being struck by an alleged drunk driver while riding their bikes in August.

When the Columbus Blue Jackets played their home opener, they raised Johnny’s No. 13 to the rafters and held a solemn tribute to the late star. The Jackets also lined up without a left wing to start their game against the Florida Panthers and 13 seconds ran off the clock.

On Saturday night, Worcester and Reading made sure to do the same for their old teammate, Matthew.

Following the national anthems, Worcester played highlights from Matthew Gaudreau’s career on the video board inside the DCU Center before holding a moment of silence.

When it came time to drop the puck, both the Railers and the Royals took to the ice with four skaters on each side. Each team left a spot open on the wing. The puck was dropped and 21 seconds was run off the clock, representing the number Matty wore in his collegiate and ECHL careers.

As the time ticked away, the crowd stood and cheered, the players tapped their sticks and once the clock read 19:39, the whistle was blown to allow the full complement of Railers and Royals to hit the ice.

Gaudreau’s No. 21 jersey hung in the hallway between Worcester’s bench and their dressing room for the duration of the game. Both teams also wore decals on their helmets in honor of both Johnny and Matthew and that same logo is embedded in the ice at DCU Center.

💙💙#RailersHC pic.twitter.com/AVrsqxtrB3

— Worcester Railers (@RailersHC) October 19, 2024

In a fitting final score line, the Royals defeated the Railers Saturday night, 2-1.

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