NHL All-Star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, had been killed Thursday night after they had been hit by a suspected drunken driver whereas driving bicycles in New Jersey, in accordance with police.
They died at some point earlier than their sister, Katie, was to be married.
The Gaudreau brothers had been to be groomsmen on the marriage ceremony scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia. Johnny Gaudreau, 31, was an 11-year NHL veteran, and the Columbus Blue Jackets — his staff since 2022 — described the deaths as an “unimaginable tragedy” in a social media submit.
Response was swift, heartfelt and got here from throughout the sports activities panorama.
Former Calgary Flames teammate Blake Coleman posted that he was “fully gutted. The world simply misplaced among the best,” and retired goaltender Eddie Lack wrote on X, “I don’t know why I’m even writing proper now I’m shaking however Johnny was considered one of my favourite teammates I’ve ever performed with. At all times joyful, at all times spreading positivity round him. Relaxation in Peace my pal and prayers to your fantastic household. Hug your family members.”
Lakers star LeBron James, who’s from Akron, Ohio, wrote on X: “Insane man! I immediately bought so down and unhappy after studying the story. My ideas and prayers goes out to the Gaudreau household! Might Johnny and Matthew fly excessive, information/guard and bless their household/s from the heavens above.”
New Jersey State police mentioned Sean M. Higgins, 43, tried to cross two different automobiles and struck the biking Gaudreau brothers from behind. Higgins, of Woodstown, N.J., is suspected of being drunk and was charged with two counts of dying by auto. He’s in custody.
In keeping with the felony criticism obtained by the Related Press, Higgins advised a responding officer he had 5 – 6 beers previous to the crash and admitted to consuming alcohol whereas driving. He failed a area sobriety check, the criticism mentioned, although his blood-alcohol degree was not instantly obtainable.
Brothers Johnny Gaudreau, proper, and Matthew Gaudreau after Boston Faculty beat Northeastern College to win the Beanpot Championship on Feb. 10, 2014, in Boston.
(Richard T Gagnon / Getty Pictures)
“Whereas Johnny’s infectious spirit for the sport and show-stopping expertise on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was greater than only a dazzling hockey participant; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to each particular person lucky sufficient to have crossed his path,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned.
The “Johnny Hockey” nickname was rooted in Gaudreau’s dynamic mix of talent and velocity on the ice. Undersized at 5 ft 9 and 175 kilos, he grew to become a fan favourite who starred for the Flames for 9 years. He was an All-Star in 2022 when he posted a career-high 40 targets and 75 assists.
In an sudden transfer, Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68.25-million contract with the Blue Jackets in 2022, selecting the perennial underdogs over extra comparable offers supplied by the extra established New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders.
Gaudreau helped Boston Faculty win the NCAA championship in 2012, and in 2014 was given the Hobey Baker Award because the nation’s high faculty participant. Within the NHL, he scored 20-plus targets six occasions and totaled 642 factors in 644 regular-season and playoff video games.
Matthew Gaudreau, 29, graduated from Boston Faculty in 2017 and performed minor league hockey, most lately with the Worcester Railers in 2022. He was the hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic Excessive in New Jersey the final two seasons.
“I’m devastated and heartbroken over the information of the dying of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau,” mentioned Jerry York, who coached the Gaudreaus at Boston Faculty. “They weren’t solely nice hockey gamers, however two excellent younger males. They represented their households and Boston Faculty with the utmost class. Please hold the Gaudreau household in your prayers throughout this tragic and unspeakable time.”
NHLPA govt director Marty Walsh mentioned: “Johnny was a beloved teammate and pal in each Calgary and Columbus, and he was a pleasure to look at throughout his 10 years and 763 video games within the NHL. … The gamers and workers of the NHLPA are devastated by these horrible losses.”
USA Hockey mentioned, “Phrases can’t appropriately categorical the sorrow the hockey group is feeling.”
The Flames mentioned Gaudreau “got here to Calgary as a younger man and grew up right here, not solely as a celebrity on the ice but additionally a beloved member of our group.”
Johnny Gaudreau leaves his spouse, Meredith, and two younger kids, Noa and Johnny. Matthew Gaudreau is survived by his spouse of three years, Madeline.
The Related Press contributed to this story.
