NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed Thursday after being hit by a driver while riding their bicycles in New Jersey.
Brothers horse riding A suspected drunk driver hit and ran a bicyclist in Old Mans Township, New Jersey. New York Post I will report.
Johnny, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, was 31 years old and his brother Matthew was 29 years old.
Authorities say the driver, Shawn Higgins, struck the two bicyclists around 8 p.m. while attempting to pass an SUV on County Road 551. He was arrested and charged with two counts of causing death by motor vehicle.
The tragic death occurred just one day before the brothers were due to attend their sister's wedding as groomsmen. Planned on friday.
The Blue Jackets said in a statement they are “devastated by this unimaginable tragedy.”
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and heartbroken by this unimaginable tragedy,” the team said. “Not only was Johnny a great hockey player, but above all else he was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. Our deepest condolences go out to Johnny and Matthew's wife Meredith, their children Noah and Johnny, their parents, their families and friends on the sudden passing of both of them.”
“Johnny played with such joy that it was felt by all who saw him on the ice,” the team added. “From Boston University to the Calgary Flames, to the U.S. National Team to the Blue Jackets, he maintained a pure love of hockey wherever he played, and he excited fans in a way that only Johnny Hockey could. His impact on our organization and our sport is immeasurable, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he left on all who knew him.”
The New Jersey native played 11 seasons in the NHL with the Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames. Last season he appeared in 81 games and recorded 48 points. He was drafted by the Flames in 2011 and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy, the league's top rookie award. Since then, he has been an All-Star seven times. He also played at Boston College, where he won the prestigious Hobey Baker Award in 2014.
As a young player, Jonny once told sports media that he felt unworthy when he was first invited to the Flames development camp because he wasn't focused on becoming a professional hockey player. But by the following season, his mindset changed from “I know what I'm doing here” to telling himself “I know what I'm doing here.”
Johnny leaves behind his wife Meredith and two children, 1-year-old Noah and 6-month-old Johnny.
Matthew was also a hockey player, playing at Boston University and signing with the New York Islanders minor league team in 2017. He also played in the Swedish Professional Hockey League and the ECHL in the United States.
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