Father of Late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau Helps to Coach Philadelphia Flyers' Practice: 'Therapeutic for Him'

"I want him to be a part of it," Flyers head coach John Tortorella said of Guy Gaudreau, a former hockey coach

Guy Gaudreau is creating a special bond with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Gaudreau, the former hockey coach whose sons Matthew and Johnny were tragically killed by an alleged drunk driver on Aug. 29 in New Jersey, was invited by Flyers' coach John Tortorella to participate in the team's practices.

Tortorella told reporters that he reached out to Gaudreau — who was "hesitant at first" about participating — to gauge interest in the opportunity to work with the Philadelphia hockey team.

"I called him and I wanted to know if he wanted to come out," Tortorella shared.

"We let him go at his timetable," the head coach said, adding that Gaudreau has "done some great work with some of the youth out here."

On Monday, Sept. 23, Gaudreau joined the hockey team for their practice in New Jersey, where he ran drills with the players and spent time talking to them on the ice.

The Flyers practice in Voorhees, New Jersey, roughly 30 miles from Salem County, where the brothers were fatally hit on the night before they were set to serve as groomsmen at their sister Katie's wedding.

Related: Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's Childhood Ice Rink Renamed After Their Deaths: 'They'll Continue to Inspire'

In a video from the practice shared by NBC Sports reporter Jordan Hall, Flyers players can be seen tapping their sticks and shaking Gaudreau's hand on the ice.

"I don't want it to be just come out here, I want him to be a part of it," Tortorella said during his press conference with reporters. "I think it would be therapeutic for him to be around us and run some drills. He has done it before, he's a coach."

Tortorella said that the practice on Monday was the first time he met Gaudreau, and he never had the opportunity to meet Johnny or Matthew before their untimely deaths. Johnny played for the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, but never the Flyers during his NHL career.

"It's pretty close to home here as far as with his family and all and what has gone on there," Tortorella told the outlet of the "horrific situation" that unfolded on Aug. 29.

Related: Columbus Blue Jackets Announce Plans to Honor Johnny Gaudreau After His Death: ‘He’s Going to Be With Us’

Tortorella said, "I think it worked out really well today," of the practice with Gaudreau. "I gave him my camp book, we're going to check in next week and see if we can get him out here a couple of more times, have him be a part of it."

Johnny's widow Meredith Gaudreau reacted to the thoughtful gesture by Tortorella in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) after Tortorella spoke about his time with Gaudreau. "John & Matty would love this," Meredith began, adding, "They’re both so proud of their dad, I know this made them smile as they watched down from heaven."

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Since the brothers' sudden deaths, Meredith, as well as Matthew’s widow, Madeline, have revealed that they are currently pregnant, Madeline with her and Matthew’s first child and Meredith with her and Johnny’s third baby.

Meredith announced the news at the brothers’ memorial service earlier this month.

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