NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother tragically died in a car crash in New Jersey just before their sister's wedding.

 NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were tragically killed by a suspected drunk driver while biking on a New Jersey road, just hours before they were to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding, according to officials.

The loss of "Johnny Hockey," renowned for his on-ice passion and off-ice kindness, along with his brother Matthew, has left the sports community in deep mourning.

The Columbus Blue Jackets, Gaudreau's team, described the incident as an "unimaginable tragedy" in a Friday social media post.

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were biking around 8:19 p.m. Thursday on a county road in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, near the Delaware River, when they were struck by a Jeep Grand Cherokee attempting to overtake two slower-moving vehicles, according to New Jersey State Police. The driver of the Jeep, 43-year-old Sean Higgins, has been charged with two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, the complaint reveals. State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron stated in a news release that Higgins is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed with the Salem County Superior Court on Friday, Higgins admitted to drinking approximately five to six beers before the crash. The affidavit notes that Higgins acknowledged his alcohol consumption contributed to his impatience and reckless driving, leading to the accident.

Higgins made his first court appearance on Friday afternoon but did not enter a plea, as reported by Salem County court criminal division manager Crystal Harris. He is currently being held without bond at the Salem County Correctional Facility pending a detention motion hearing scheduled for September 5.

The Gaudreau brothers were set to serve as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, according to her online registry on TheKnot.com.

In a family statement on Facebook, their uncle Jim Gaudreau expressed the profound loss: “Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends, but truly two amazing humans. We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.”

Matthew Gaudreau’s wife is expecting their baby, a Columbus Blue Jackets spokesperson confirmed.

During Higgins' court appearance, Judge Michael J. Silvanio noted that the charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in New Jersey state prison. Higgins, who is currently represented by a public defender, indicated he plans to hire his own attorney. At the end of the hearing, Higgins appeared surprised when informed he would remain in jail until his next court date, asking the judge, “So, I’m here until Thursday?”

Johnny Hockey is known for his fierce and passionate play on the ice, and he is also a devoted father.

Johnny Gaudreau was selected by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Draft, coming from Boston College. He signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets before the 2022-2023 season, where he scored 12 goals and recorded 48 assists last year.

“The Columbus Blue Jackets are deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss. Johnny Gaudreau was not only an exceptional hockey player but, more importantly, a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, and all his family and friends as they grieve this sudden loss,” the Blue Jackets stated.

“Johnny played the game with an infectious joy that touched everyone who watched him on the ice. His passion for hockey shone through in every place he played, from Boston College and the Calgary Flames to Team USA and the Blue Jackets. He captivated fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could.

“While his impact on our organization and the sport was significant, it is nothing compared to the lasting impression he left on everyone who knew him,” the statement added.

Over his 11-season career, Gaudreau scored 243 goals and amassed 743 points, earning seven All-Star game appearances.

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

“Johnny was known for his infectious enthusiasm for the game and his spectacular skills on the ice, earning him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey.’ However, he was much more than a remarkable player; he was a devoted father, loving husband, cherished son, brother, and teammate, who touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him,” Bettman added.

Hockey reporter Dave Maetzold, speaking on “TNT Sports Tonight” on Friday, described Gaudreau as “the most modest superstar you’d ever want to meet” and a “likable guy who was reluctantly in the spotlight.” Maetzold, a Bally Sports Ohio rinkside reporter, had covered Gaudreau through his work with the team.

Maetzold highlighted Gaudreau’s strong family ties, noting that his father was a consistent presence at his games. “He would be there right alongside the ice, just as he was when Johnny was a young player. His mom was also always there,” Maetzold said. “He came from a close-knit family and was building one of his own. This is an immense tragedy from a family perspective.”

Longtime NHL executive Brian Burke expressed in a statement on X that Gaudreau’s “kindness radiated throughout the locker room every day,” and there were “few players in hockey history who matched his passion and love for the game.”

“Johnny was always the first to volunteer for charity work,” Burke said. “Whenever we had requests, we knew he would respond with a resounding yes, without hesitation.”

Community Mourns Beloved Brothers: ‘Their Loss Will Be Felt Forever’

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy expressed the state’s grief in a statement, sharing that the people of New Jersey are mourning alongside the Gaudreau family. He reflected on the brothers' journey from discovering their love for hockey in South Jersey rinks to becoming standout players for the Boston College men’s hockey team.

Matthew Gaudreau returned to his high school alma mater, Gloucester Catholic High School, in 2022 to serve as the ice hockey coach, a role he held until this summer.

Principal Thomas Iacovene Jr. remarked in a statement released by the school on Friday, “Johnny and Matt were exceptional hockey players and students, but their qualities as human beings were even more remarkable. Their loss will be profoundly felt by the entire Gloucester Catholic community and by me personally.”

Boston College men’s hockey head coach Greg Brown and former head coach Jerry York shared their memories of the brothers during a news conference on Friday. Brown struggled to find the right words to describe their loss, highlighting the close-knit nature of the Gaudreau family and the impact the brothers had on everyone who knew them. “The fact that they were together is both horrific and ironic, given how close they were as a family,” Brown said.

The coaches spoke about the significant impact Johnny and Matthew had on the Boston College hockey program, both on and off the ice. “They brought immense joy to the rink, always with big smiles,” Brown recalled. “They were magical players and cherished teammates, and they lit up the room whenever they entered.”

York noted the particularly strong bond between the brothers and credited Matthew for pushing Johnny toward becoming an NHL star. He mentioned staying in touch with the brothers’ parents to remind them of the special place Johnny and Matthew held in the college team’s heart.

York also mentioned the brothers' sister, Katie, who was always seen in Boston College Eagles gear and never missed a game. “The situation is incredibly hard, especially with her upcoming wedding, but we will have a strong presence from our community at the wake and funeral,” York added.

read more......