NHL superstar Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were murdered Thursday night, the day before his sister's wedding.
Around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were riding their bicycles along a road in Oldman's Township, New Jersey.
“Matty and Johnny were highly respected by all of us. They were great young men and made a big impression on us off the ice as well.”
Police said a Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling north on County Road 551 when it attempted to pass a sedan and SUV that were traveling slowly. WPVI.
The driver of the Grand Cherokee, Shawn M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, struck and killed the Gaudreau brothers, New Jersey State Police Sergeant Jeffrey Lebron said in a statement Friday.
The Gaudreau brothers were pronounced dead at the scene.
Higgins has been charged with two counts of causing death by motor vehicle and is being held at the Salem County Correctional Facility.
Higgins was suspected of being drunk at the time of the accident, but LeBron stated.
Citing a police affidavit, WPVI reported that state troopers who arrived on the scene detected a “strong odor of alcohol” coming from the driver. Higgins reportedly told troopers he had consumed “five or six beers” before the fatal crash. The outlet reported that, according to the criminal complaint, Higgins told investigators that drinking contributed to his temper and reckless driving.
Officers reportedly said Higgins failed a field sobriety test.
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced the sudden death of their NHL superstar: statement The agency called the fatal crash an “unimaginable tragedy.”
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and heartbroken by this unimaginable tragedy,” the statement read. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but above all else, he was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”
“Johnny played the game with a joy that was felt by all who saw him on the ice,” the Blue Jackets said. “From Boston University to the Calgary Flames, to the U.S. National Team to the Blue Jackets, he brought a pure love of hockey to every game he played for and excited fans in a way that only Johnny Hockey could.”
“His impact on our organization and our sport has been immeasurable, but it pales in comparison to the indelible impression he left on all who knew him,” the statement continued. “Johnny warmly embraced our community upon his arrival two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms.”
The statement concluded, “We will miss him greatly and will do all we can to support his family, and each other, as we navigate this tragedy. We ask that their privacy be respected at this time and that their prayers are with the Gaudreau family.”
Jonny played two seasons with the Blue Jackets and nine seasons with the Calgary Flames.
Calgary Flames statement“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the tragic passing of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau. Our hearts are broken by this terrible loss. Johnny was and always will be a part of the Flames family and beloved by everyone in Calgary.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said statement“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew.”
“Johnny's passion for the game and his incredible skills on the ice earned him the nickname 'Johnny Hockey,' but he was more than just a great hockey player. He was a loving father, a cherished husband, son, brother and teammate and a man who was beloved by all who were fortunate enough to know him,” Bettman said.
“Gaudreau often talked about how his father taught him to skate as a child in his home state of New Jersey and he carried that youthful enthusiasm throughout his 11 NHL seasons,” Bettman added. “A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau appeared in seven NHL All-Star Games and was a consistent fan favorite, especially in the various skill events in which he excelled.”
Both Gaudreau brothers were hockey teammates at Boston University before Johnny was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2011.
“They were the best players,” said Jerry York, who coached the Gaudreau brothers at Boston University. Associated Press“This is just heartbreaking news for all of us involved with the Gaudreau family. Matty and Johnny were highly respected by all of us. They were great young men who made a lot of impression on us off the ice as well.”
Johnny scored 20 or more goals six times and recorded a career-high 40 goals and 75 assists for 115 points in the 2021-2022 season.
Matthew was also a professional hockey player who played in the AHL and ECHL.
Johnny Gaudreau is Survived He is survived by his wife, Meredith Gaudreau, and their two young children, 1-year-old daughter Noah and 6-month-old son Johnny Jr.
Johnny and Matthew were scheduled to attend his sister Katie Gaudreau's wedding, which is scheduled for Friday afternoon in New Jersey, with a reception later that evening in Philadelphia.
According to the bride's representative, the brothers were scheduled to serve as groomsmen at the wedding. Wedding Page.
This is the second tragedy for the Blue Jackets in recent years.
Columbus goaltender Matisse Kivlenics Died July 2021 The 24-year-old was attending the wedding of then-Blue Jackets goaltending coach Manny Legace's daughter in Novi, Michigan, when he was hit in the chest by a firework.
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