NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman reflected on Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau's “infectious energy” following the tragic news that the 31-year-old Columbus star has passed away.
In a statement released Friday morning, Bettman paid tribute to the NHL All-Star who was killed along with his 29-year-old brother, Matthew, when he was struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding his bicycle in Salem County, New Jersey, on Thursday evening.
“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 much more than just a great hockey player. He was a loving father and a beloved husband, son, brother and teammate, and was beloved by all who were fortunate to come into contact with him.” Bettman says:.
“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 passion throughout his 11 NHL seasons. A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau appeared in seven NHL All-Star Games and was always a fan favorite, especially in the various skills competitions in which he excelled.”
Gaudreau graduated from Boston University and was selected 104th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2011 NHL Draft.
Check out the NY Post's coverage of the tragic death of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau at age 31.
He made his NHL debut in 2013-14 and spent nine seasons with Calgary before signing a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with Columbus in 2022.
“He will be fondly remembered in Calgary, where he played his first nine seasons with the Flames from 2013-14 to 2021-22, emerging as one of the league's brightest young stars and finishing as the franchise's fifth-highest career points scorer. His death will also be deeply felt in Columbus, the city he chose to settle his family in and where he was one of the respected veteran leaders building the club to a playoff run. And Johnny and Matthew will be mourned at Boston University, where they were teammates the year Johnny won the Hobey Baker Award in 2013-14, and at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, where they both played and where Matthew served as head hockey coach after completing his five-year professional career,” the statement continued.
Bettman ended his statement by offering his condolences to Gaudreau's family, including his wife, Meredith, whom he married in September 2021, and their two children.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Meredith, his children Noah and Johnny, his parents Guy and Jane, and his sisters Kristen and Katie. We also grieve with his teammates, Blue Jackets and Flames organizations, his many friends in the hockey community, and the countless fans around the world with whom he created unforgettable memories on and off the ice,” the statement read.
Gaudreau and Matthew were scheduled to serve as groomsmen at his sister Katie's wedding, scheduled for Friday in Gloucester City, New Jersey.
The brothers died from injuries sustained after being struck by suspected drunk driver Shawn Higgins, who was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee. NBC 10 Philadelphia reported Friday, citing investigators.
Higgins, of Woodstown, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with two counts of causing death by motor vehicle, according to reports.
The Blue Jackets confirmed the deaths of Gaudreau and his brother early Friday morning.
