NHL’s Johnny Gaudreau, brother Matthew killed by suspected drunk driver in N.J.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew were fatally struck by a suspected drunk driver as they rode their bicycles in New Jersey on Thursday night.

Johnny Gaudreau was 31 years old. His brother Matthew was 29.

The family released a statement on Friday. “Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers … two friends, but truly two amazing humans,” Jim Gaudreau, uncle to both Johnny and Matthew, said in a statement, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.

“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” the NHL said in a 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.”

New Jersey State police said the brothers were riding their bikes on County Route 551 at around 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday when they were struck by the driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Salem County, a New Jersey suburb. Both Gaudreau brothers died from their injuries.

The male driver, 43-year-old Sean Higgins of N.J., remained at the scene. New Jersey State Police said Higgins was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He faces two counts of death by auto and remains in police custody.

The two brothers were in Salem County for their sister’s wedding, expected to be held on Friday.

‘Johnny Hockey’ remembered as one of league’s elite wingers

Born and raised in Salem, N.J., Johnny Gaudreau was named the 2014 Hobey Baker Award winner as the best NCAA player. The Calgary Flames drafted him out of Boston College in the 4th round of the 2011 NHL Draft.

He played nine seasons in Calgary, emerging as one of the league’s best-scoring wingers.

Johnny Gaudreau, nicknamed “Johnny Hockey,” scored 24 goals and finished with 64 points in his first season with the Flames, leading to being named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy for the NHL’s best rookie. He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most gentlemanly player for the 2016–17 season.

He recorded 115 points as a member of the Flames during the 2021-22 season, with 14 points in 12 playoff games. It was the second-most regular-season points ever for a Calgary Flame, behind only Kent Nilsson in 1980–81.

Johnny Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Blue Jackets as a free agent in 2022. He played two seasons in Columbus, registering 134 points across 161 regular season games.

Matthew Gaudreau also attended Boston College and played professional hockey in the ECHL for several seasons with the Reading Royals and Worcester Railers. He also appeared in AHL games with the Stockton Heat and Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Johnny Gaudreau is survived by his wife, Meredith, and his two children, Noa and Johnny.

Tributes pour in following brothers’ tragic deaths

Several NHL teams, including the Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs, issued statements following news of the two Gaudreau brothers’ deaths.

“It’s with great sadness we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau,” the Flames organization wrote. “Our hearts are broken by this devastating loss. Johnny was and always will be a member of the Flames family and loved by all of Calgary.”

“The Toronto Maple Leafs join the entire hockey community in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew,” wrote the Maple Leafs.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the Gaudreau family, their friends, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames organizations, and all those who knew and loved Johnny and Matthew during this unimaginably difficult time.”

Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving worked in the Flames front office for several years while Johnny Gaudreau played in Calgary. In a separate statement, Treliving praised his former player and recognized his infectious personality on and off the ice.

“He brought joy to everyone around him and to the many who never knew him but marvelled at his excellence on the ice.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on the tragedy in a post on X, writing, “Johnny Gaudreau may have come up from the States, but hockey fans in Calgary, and across Canada, will remember him as one of our own. Thinking of his teammates, friends, and the Gaudreau family today.”