Just over a week after NHL star and New Jersey native Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were killed by a suspected drunk driver, hundreds came out to the brothers’ high school to pay their respects.

“Gloucester Catholic, we always say we are a family,” said school executive development director Patrick Murphy. “Tonight’s one of those nights where we’re really proving we are.”

They were local boys turned pro hockey players who never forgot where they came from. Matty Gaudreau returned to the school as a hockey coach after his playing career wrapped. Johnny became known to many as “Johnny Hockey,” a seven-time NHL All-Star in Calgary and Columbus.

“They put, not only Gloucester Catholic, but really the South Jersey hockey community on the map,” Murphy said. “They gave up their time, their talent and their treasures.”

“Johnny was a little guy in high school,” said school Principal Tom Iacovone. “I brought him over and said, ‘You’re the big hockey star that I’ve been hearing about?’ And he just gave his same old little smile and said, ‘Yes sir!’ and walked right away.

“Matty, when he was a student here, he wasn’t like Johnny,” Iacovone said. “He wasn’t reserved. He came in with a big smile, and he was ready to talk. And, he did it in such a respectful way.”

The brothers will be laid to rest in a private service just outside of Philadelphia on Monday. Friday night was the South Jersey public’s chance to reflect. Johnny’s teammates spoke Wednesday in Columbus.

“This is the first opportunity that we have locally to show some respect to the family,” Murphy said. “They chose [Friday] to make their first public appearance here.”

“Whatever they need from Gloucester Catholic, they’ll get,” Iacovone said.

The driver, 43-year-old Sean Higgins, remains in the Salem County Jail.

He’s charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

His next court date is Friday.