Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, died in Salem County, New Jersey, Thursday night after being struck by a car while riding a bicycle.
Police said the brothers were struck by a suspected drunk driver, who they allege attempted to pass two slower-moving vehicles. Sean Higgins, 43, has since been charged with two counts of death by auto.
Witnesses to the collision told police an SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of a two-lane road in order to safely pass the Gaudreau brothers, when Higgins tried to overtake the vehicle on the right. That’s when he allegedly struck the brothers, who both died from their injuries.
Gaudreau, who was 31, entered the NHL in 2014 after being drafted in the fourth round by the Calgary Flames in 2011. A native of Salem County, NJ, he signed with the Blue Jackets ahead of the 2022-23 season, spending the last two seasons there.
His brother, 29, was also a professional hockey player, and played college hockey at Boston College for four years, before spending as many years playing 21 AHL games, 127 ECHL games, and 12 games in HockeyEttan. He last played for the ECHL’s Worcester Railers.
News of their passing was confirmed by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Friday.
“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” Bettman said in the statement. “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.”
In a statement, the Columbus Blue Jackets spoke of Johnny’s “genuine love for hockey.”
“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice,” they said in a team statement Friday morning. “He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him. Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy.
“At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve.”
According to 6ABC Action News, the brothers were set to be groomsmen in their sister Katie’s wedding, which was set for Friday.
Johnny Gaudreau broke into the league by storm, scoring 24 goals and 64 points with the Flames in his rookie season. Named to the NHL’s first All-Rookie team, Gaudreau finished third in Calder Trophy voting as the league’s top rookie.
He remained one of the league’s most productive players during his tenure in Calgary between 2014-15 and 2021-22, scoring 209 goals, 399 assists, the third most in the NHL over that time, and 608 points. His final season with the Flames saw him score career-highs in all three categories, with 40 goals, 75 assists and 115 points, while also leading the league in +/- with a +64 ranking.
Winning the Lady Byng Trophy in 2016-17 as the play who was “adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability,” Gaudreau was long one of the league’s most respected players.
His arrival in Columbus, seven hours west of where he grew up just outside of Philadelphia, shocked many in the hockey world when he inked a seven-year, $9.50-million AAV contract. Then general manager Jarmo Kekalainen expressed elation over the signing, calling it “an exciting day for our franchise, our fans and the city of Columbus.”
Gaudreau’s death marks the second Blue Jackets player to die in the last four offseasons, following goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks tragic death in a firework accident on July 4th, 2021.
Johnny leaves behind his wife, Meredith, his two young children, Noa and Johnny, his parents Guy and Jane, and his sisters, Kristen and Katie. Matthew also leaves behind his wife, Madeline.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.