Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau has died, the team announced in a statement Friday morning.
Johnny’s brother Matthew also died, the NHL confirmed. The brothers were struck Thursday night while riding their bikes in Oldmans, New Jersey, near their hometown of Salem, according to the Columbus DispatchThe two men were due to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding on Friday.
According to information obtained by a local NBC network antenna in Philadelphia, the driver of the vehicle is suspected of having been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. The latter is said to have hit the Gaudreau brothers while trying to pass a car that had moved into the middle of the road in order to safely pass the two cyclists, who were riding on the right.
The driver was arrested and faces two charges. He is currently incarcerated at the Salem County Correctional Facility, according to NBC.
“Johnny was not only a great hockey player, he was more importantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend,” the Blue Jackets organization said in a statement on its social media channels.
“The impact he had on our organization and our game was profound, but it pales in comparison to the indelible impression he left on all who knew him,” the team added. “Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. He will be terribly missed and we will do everything we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy.”
Johnny Gaudreau played his first nine seasons with the Calgary Flames before signing as a free agent with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022. He culminated his time with the Flames ranked fifth in team scoring.
PHOTO TIMOTHY T. LUDWIG, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Johnny Gaudreau played his first nine seasons with the Calgary Flames.
“His loss will also be deeply felt in Columbus, the city where he chose to make his family home and where he was a respected veteran leader of a club building toward the playoffs,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, has played 763 NHL games, amassing 243 goals and 743 points. In 2017, he won the Lady Byng Trophy, awarded annually to the player considered to have the best sportsmanship while maintaining remarkable performances.
“Gaudreau often spoke about how his father taught him to skate as a child in his home state of New Jersey. He carried that same youthful passion throughout his 11 seasons in the NHL,” concluded Gary Bettman.
Johnny and Matthew Gauderau played together at Boston College during the 2013-14 season, the year Johnny won the Hobey Baker Trophy, awarded to the NCAA’s Most Outstanding Player.
The sports world in shock
NHL teams and players, as well as other players in the professional sports world, reacted to the sad news on social media.
Forward Patrik Laine, recently acquired by the Canadiens, shared the Blue Jackets’ post on his Instagram page. “Rest in peace, my brother,” wrote the former teammate of Gaudreau in Columbus.
“Completely devastated,” wrote Blake Coleman, who played alongside Gaudreau with the Flames. “The world just lost one of the best. RIP Johnny.”
“I don’t know why I’m writing this right now, I’m shaking, but Johnny was one of my favorite teammates I ever played with,” said Eddie Lack, a former goalie who played one season in Calgary. “Always happy, he spread positivity around him. Rest in peace my friend, I pray for your beautiful family.”
NBA star LeBron James also expressed his grief. “This doesn’t make sense to me! I was immediately depressed and sad after reading the story. My thoughts and prayers are with the Gaudreau family! May Johnny and Matthew fly high, guide, protect and bless their families from the heavens.”