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On Friday morning, the Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed the worst fears of hockey fans after rumors started to swirl when the franchise released a statement saying star forward Johnny Gaudreau was tragically killed alongside his brother at the age of 31.
Columbus Blue Jackets statement on the passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew. pic.twitter.com/V2aFykgKIs
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 30, 2024
According to The Columbus Dispatch, Gaudreau and his brother Mattew were riding bikes near their hometown in New Jersey ahead of their sister’s wedding on Friday when they were fatally struck by a car.
According to Mike Greenberg’s report on ESPN, the driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and death by auto. ABC6 reports the suspect has been identified as 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, of Woodstown, New Jersey, who was allegedly attempting to pass two vehicles when he struck the Gaudreau brothers on County Route 551.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also released a statement honoring the legacy of the star who played college hockey at Boston College, where he was selected by the Calgary Flames in the 2011 NHL Draft.
Gaudreau secured a national championship with the Eagles in 2012 and won the Hobey Baker Award (presented to the best player in the NCAA) during his final season in Chestnut Hill.
The man known as “Johnny Hockey” made his debut with the Flames in the final game of the 2013-2014 season and didn’t waste any time making his presence known, as he scored a goal on the first shot of his pro career.
Gaudreau quickly transformed into one of the more exciting young talents in the league and was named to the All-Star Team in 2017—the first of seven times he received that particular honor.
He spent nine seasons with the Flames before signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets ahead of the 2022 campaign. He played 763 regular season games between the two teams while recording 243 goals and 500 assists.
Gaudreau leaves behind his wife Meredith and their two children Noa and Johnny. His brother Matthew, who was 29 years old at the time of the accident, spent some time in the ECHL before pivoting to coaching and was most recently working behind the bench for Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in the wake of this awful tragedy.