Jack Hughes Gives $100K Prize to Gaudreau Family Foundation

When Jack Hughes won $100,000 on The Pat McAfee Show by nailing a difficult hockey shot, he knew exactly where every penny would go.

The New Jersey Devils center split his entire prize among several charities, including the Gaudreau Family Foundation. The organization honors Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, two brothers killed by a suspected drunk driver in August 2024 while riding bicycles in New Jersey.

Johnny was a seven-time NHL All-Star preparing for Olympic selection when tragedy struck. His younger brother Matthew died alongside him that day.

The foundation's response to Hughes' donation revealed just how much the gesture meant. "Jack, the fact that you thought of John and Matty means more to our family than you know," they wrote on social media.

Hughes won his prize during a February appearance on the ESPN program filmed at Lucas Oil Stadium. He converted the shot with ease, then immediately planned how to share the windfall with causes close to his heart.

Why This Inspires

The connection between Hughes and the Gaudreau family runs deeper than most know. During the 2026 Milan Olympics, Team USA hung Johnny's No. 13 jersey and Matthew's No. 21 sweater in their locker room throughout the tournament.

The Gaudreau family attended every game, including Johnny's widow Meredith and their young children. When Hughes scored the overtime winner to end America's 46-year gold medal drought, the team brought Johnny's daughter Noa, 3, and son Johnny Jr., 2, onto the ice for the celebration.

Those bittersweet moments connected Hughes to a family navigating unimaginable loss while trying to keep two legacies alive.

After a recent Devils game, Hughes met with Johnny's mother Jane and his sisters Kristen and Katie. The foundation called the personal connection and financial support "truly transformative" for their mission to honor the brothers through community programs.

Hughes earned his golden boy reputation with that Olympic overtime goal, but this quiet act of generosity reveals something even more valuable: a golden heart that remembers those who can't be there to celebrate with him.