NHL
NHL Fans Emotionally React To Biking Deaths Of Hockey Brothers Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau
Back home in New Jersey for what should have been a weekend of family celebration, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother, Matthew, went out for a bike ride when tragedy struck.
Both of the brothers were struck by a vehicle Thursday and later died, state authorities announced Friday.
According to the New Jersey State Police, a driver attempted to pass an SUV on the right and struck the “pedalcyclists.” Upon arriving at the scene at 8:19 p.m. ET, the officers responded to the fatal injuries the Gaudreaus suffered.
The driver may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Sean Higgins, 43, was charged with two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, possession of an open container and consumption in a motorized vehicle. Higgins failed a field sobriety test, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, played 11 NHL seasons with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, producing 243 goals among 743 points in 763 career games. Matthew Gaudreau, 29, appeared in 127 ECHL games for the Worcester Railers and Reading Royals. Both brothers played at Boston College.
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau recently returned to Oldmans Township, N.J., to celebrate their sister’s weekend wedding.
X (Twitter) users collectively posted their condolences to the Gaudreau family …
The players and staff of the NHLPA are devastated by the terrible losses of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, and we express our sincerest condolences to the entire Gaudreau family.
Statement from NHLPA Executive Director, Marty Walsh: https://t.co/uUvSR25qzr pic.twitter.com/juputzwkqb
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) August 30, 2024
Remembering “Johnny Hockey,” the nickname he earned at BC, Bobby Carpenter, a former NFL and Ohio State linebacker, summarized the tragedy the best he could …
Please pray for the Gaudreau Family…
Parents lost 2 sons
A sister lost her brothers on her wedding weekend
A wife lost her husband
2 children lost their father
and our city lost a tremendous ambassador
— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) August 30, 2024
At 5-foot-9, 163 pounds, Gaudreau earned a reputation for being a top-six sparkplug, securing a career-best 40-goal season in his final season with the Flames in 2021-22. The Flames drafted Gaudreau in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL draft. Commissioner Gary Bettman issued a statement on the tragedy …
Commissioner Bettman Statement on the Passing of Johnny Gaudreau. https://t.co/JJHCkBDIzF pic.twitter.com/fhbjomNOPw
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) August 30, 2024
Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68.25 million free-agent deal with the Blue Jackets before the 2022-23 campaign. In two seasons with the franchise, he dressed for all but three regular-season games and scored a combined 33 goals. The organization was “shocked and devastated by the unimaginable tragedy” …
Columbus Blue Jackets statement on the passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew. pic.twitter.com/V2aFykgKIs
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 30, 2024
Named a 2023 All-Star, Gaudreau scored 12 goals among 60 points last season. He earned the respect of his opponents. The Pittsburgh Penguins stated, “Johnny played each game with joy and his love for the game of hockey” …
The Penguins extend our deepest condolences to the Gaudreau family on the passing of Johnny and his brother, Matthew, whose lives were taken far too soon.
Johnny played each game with joy and his love for the game of hockey was felt by all those who watched.
Our hearts are with… pic.twitter.com/dsXlsmKBGc
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) August 30, 2024
The Bridgeport Islanders praised the highly competitive brothers: “They both were tremendous ambassadors for the sport of hockey and even better people in the community.” Johnny Gaudreau appeared in 17 games with the then-Bridgeport Sound Tigers from 2017-19 …
The entire New York Islanders organization is deeply saddened by the passing of both Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. We offer our sincerest condolences to the Gaudreau family. They both were tremendous ambassadors for the sport of hockey and even better people in the community. pic.twitter.com/OloftUQAnK
— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) August 30, 2024
The Railers’ organization remembered a member of the franchise’s original squad …
The Worcester Railers mourn the loss of former player Matthew Gaudreau, who died in an accident with his brother.
“Matty will always be remembered as one of the original Railers.”
“He was just a kid who loved playing hockey."
On a tragic day for hockey: https://t.co/syqbvcdGGN pic.twitter.com/uANzAw0RFM
— Tommy Cassell (@tommycassell44) August 30, 2024
The Royals were “deeply saddened … we offer our sincerest condolences to the Gaudreau family and their friends at this time” …
The Reading Royals are deeply saddened by the passing of both Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau.
We offer our sincerest condolences to the Gaudreau family and their friends at this time. pic.twitter.com/I6EWpUEKpt
— Reading Royals (@ReadingRoyals) August 30, 2024
Johnny Gaudreau earned consecutive Hockey East Player of the Year awards and the 2014 Hobey Baker Award recipient as the college hockey’s top player. The Hockey Hall of Fame joined the hockey community in mourning the tragic loss of the brothers …
The Hockey Hall of Fame joins the hockey community in mourning the tragic loss of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew.
We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Gaudreau family, friends, teammates and fans during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/LlGEen5aw3
— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) August 30, 2024
The elder brother guided Boston College to the national championship in 2012 and dressed for the national program. USA Hockey expressed “words cannot appropriately express the sorrow the hockey community is feeling today” …
Our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, whose lives ended way too soon. Words cannot appropriately express the sorrow the hockey community is feeling today. pic.twitter.com/RvT1gPvbZd
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) August 30, 2024
Sad, but true …
Was hoping rumors werent true but sadly its been confirmed Johnny Gaudreau & his brother Matt passed away last night in a bike accident.
My deepest condolences to the Gaudreau family, their friends & teammates.
Hug your loved ones extra tight & always tell them you love them 🕊 pic.twitter.com/DdDarE1X4D
— San Jose Sharks History (@sjsharkshistory) August 30, 2024
Responding to the tragedy, “OfficerPapadopoulos” provided a stern message – and warning …
This is what Drunk Drivers destroy.
Rest in Peace Johnny Gaudreau.
Condolences to the family, friends and NHL for their loss.#DontDrinkandDrive #JohnnyGaudreau #ImpairedDrivingisntAJoke #NHL pic.twitter.com/hBQrYzfADW— OfficerPapadopoulos (@PCPappy) August 30, 2024
The Boston hockey community and Beanpot family promise to help keep the memory of the Gaudreau brothers alive …
Forever a part of our Beanpot family.
We are heartbroken over the tragic loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. We extend our deepest condolences to the Gaudreau family, the Boston College community, the Calgary Flames, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and all who know and love them. pic.twitter.com/qW56aTCk2t
— TD Garden (@tdgarden) August 30, 2024