Former Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were both killed by an alleged drunk driver on Thursday night.
The two brothers were in New Jersey to attend their sister’s wedding.
The Gaudreau brothers, Johnny and Matthew, were riding their bikes when the driver of a Jeep allegedly tried to pass two other vehicles and hit the brothers, who were both pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver told police he drank five or six beers before the crash, according to NJ.com. Sean M. Higgins was charged with two counts of second-degree death by auto. After failing a sobriety test, he was taken into custody and jailed on the charges.
The brothers’ parents live on the same road as the crash and the family was planning to attend their sister’s wedding in New Jersey on Friday. Both brothers were set to be groomsmen at the wedding.
Johnny Gaudreau played nine seasons for the Calgary Flames and the last two seasons for the Columbus Blue Jackets, totalling 743 points in 763 games. He played 42 games in the playoffs for the Calgary Flames, during which he amassed 33 points. He participated in the NHL All-Star game seven times.
He won the Lady Byng trophy in 2017, which is given to the player who exhibits the best sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and a high standard of playing ability in the entire league.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league was saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Johnny and his brother Matthew.
“While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother, and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path,” said Bettman.
Matthew Gaudreau played professional hockey with the ECHL and AHL until the end of 2021.
The two brothers were teammates at Boston College and Gloucester Catholic High School. Matthew was the head hockey coach at the high school following his five-year professional career.
The Columbus Blue Jackets released a statement, saying that Gaudreau embraced the community upon his arrival two years ago, and he was welcomed with open arms.
“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets,” wrote the Columbus Blue Jackets. “He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could.”
The most recent traffic deaths of the Gaudreau brothers are the latest in a string of off-ice tragedies for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team previously mourned the loss of goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks, who died in 2021 after being struck in the chest with a firework while at his goalie coach’s house to celebrate his daughter’s wedding.
Elvis Merzlikins, a teammate of Kivlenieks, revealed that Kivlenieks died protecting his wife and son.