August 30th 2024.
The tragic news of the passing of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother has left the entire hockey community in shock. According to police reports, the brothers were riding their bicycles in their hometown of Carneys Point, New Jersey on Thursday night when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver. Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were set to be groomsmen at their sister Katie's wedding the following day in Philadelphia.
The New Jersey State police confirmed that the Gaudreau brothers were cycling on a road when a man driving an SUV attempted to overtake two other vehicles and hit them from behind. The impact was fatal and both brothers were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, has been charged with two counts of death by auto, along with other charges related to driving under the influence.
Johnny Gaudreau, also known as "Johnny Hockey", had been playing in the NHL for 11 seasons and was about to enter his third with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He spent the first nine years of his professional career with the Calgary Flames, where he established himself as one of the top players in the sport and a fan favorite across North America.
The news of the Gaudreau brothers' passing has been devastating for their family, friends, and former teammates. Jerry York, who coached the brothers at Boston College, expressed his sorrow in a phone interview, saying, "Just devastating news for all of us connected with the Gaudreau family. Both Matty and Johnny were terrifically admired by all of us. Wonderful young guys, and they impressed a lot of us off the ice."
York also spoke highly of the Gaudreau family and their dedication to their children and the sport of hockey. Johnny had been married to his wife, Meredith, since 2021 and they have two young children together. The Blue Jackets released a statement honoring Gaudreau not only as a great hockey player, but also as a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.
At 5-foot-9 and 82kgs, Gaudreau was part of a generation of hockey players who excelled in an era of speed and skill, proving that being undersized was not a disadvantage. He was a consistent scorer, with six seasons of 20 or more goals, and was a 115-point player in 2021-22, earning him a spot in the NHL All-Star game. His passion for the game and his infectious spirit earned him the nickname "Johnny Hockey".
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman paid tribute to Gaudreau, saying, "While Johnny's infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname 'Johnny Hockey', he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path."
The news of Gaudreau's passing has also deeply affected his former teammates, coaches, and players from other sports. The NHL Players' Association released a statement expressing their grief and describing Gaudreau as a beloved teammate and friend. Gaudreau's former executive Brian Burke, who had him in Calgary and on the US national team, praised his passion for the game and his talent on the ice.
The hockey community and beyond have been sharing their condolences and memories of Gaudreau on social media. Former teammate Blake Coleman wrote, "Completely gutted. The world just lost one of the best." Retired goaltender Eddie Lack, who played with Gaudreau in Calgary, remembered him as a positive and happy person. Even NBA superstar LeBron James paid tribute to Gaudreau, sending his thoughts and prayers to the Gaudreau family.
Gaudreau's death is the latest tragedy to hit the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, following the passing of goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks in 2021. The team is now left to deal with the loss of another young player just weeks before the start of the new season. In a statement, the Blue Jackets asked for privacy for the Gaudreau family as they grieve and promised to support them and each other through this difficult time.
The hockey world will remember Johnny Gaudreau as not only a talented and passionate player, but also as a loving family man and friend to many. He will be deeply missed and his legacy will live on through his achievements on and off the ice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Gaudreau family during this heartbreaking time.
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