April 6, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) carries the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports Columbus Blue Jackets left winger Johnny Gaudreau died Thursday night when he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle in New Jersey. He is 31 years old.
Also killed his brother, Matthew, 29.
The Gaudreau family has gathered in their hometown in Salem County, NJ, to take part in the wedding of Katie Gaudreau, the man’s sister. He will be married on Friday, with his brothers as groomsmen and his wife as maid of honor.
The team confirmed the death in a statement on Friday morning.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more importantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend to his wife, Meredith. children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, family and friends for the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew,” the team said.
“Johnny plays the game with great joy, which is felt by everyone who sees him on the ice. He brings his genuine love for hockey with him wherever he plays, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He is a passionate fan. in the way that only Johnny Hockey can impact our organization and our sport deeply, but it pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew Johnny when he arrived two years ago and Columbus welcomed him with open arms, we will miss him very much and doing everything we can to support the family and each other through this tragedy, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and for their privacy to be respected.”
CBS Philadelphia, citing New Jersey State Police, said the brothers were riding their bicycles on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township when they were hit by a Jeep driven by 43-year-old Sean Higgins of Woodstown, NJ. passing a slower vehicle, according to the report.
Higgins was taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility and charged with two counts of death by automatic. Alcohol may have played a role, the television station reported.
“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement early Monday. “While Johnny’s infectious passion for the game and his stop-and-go skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was more than just an amazing hockey player; he was a wonderful father and a loving husband, son, brother and friend. He was loved by everyone. those lucky enough to cross his path.”
Johnny Gaudreau played in 11 NHL seasons and participated in seven All-Star games. At Boston College, he won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top player in 2013-14, and Matthew was his teammate that season.
Matthew played minor league hockey for five seasons and coached hockey at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, where the brothers played.
The eighth annual Johnny Gaudreau Scholarship Golf Tournament is held in July to help school students.
The Calgary Flames selected Gaudreau in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Draft, and became a regular in their rotation in the 2014-15 season. He ranks fifth on the club in assists (399), points (609) and game-winning goals (41).
Gaudreau was awarded the 2016-17 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, given annually to the player who best exemplifies good sportsmanship.
Before the 2022 season, Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68.25 million deal with the Blue Jackets, opting to stay closer to his New Jersey roots.
In two seasons in Columbus, Gaudreau played in 161 games, scoring 134 points (33 goals, 101 assists) for a club that finished last in the Metropolitan Division both seasons. He leads the team in points and assists in every campaign.
In 763 career NHL games, he had 743 points (243 goals, 500 assists) in the regular season. The Flames made the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth time during Gaudreau’s tenure there, and added 11 goals and 22 assists in 42 postseason games.
Gaudreau’s death comes three years after Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks was killed in a fireworks accident on July 4, 2021 in Michigan.
–Field Level Media
