The hockey world is reeling from the tragic loss of Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were fatally struck by a car while cycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. The brothers, aged 31 and 29, were victims of a suspected drunk driver, Sean Higgins, who has since been apprehended and charged with two counts of death by auto.
The incident took place on County Route 551, where Higgins reportedly tried to maneuver around an SUV after 8 p.m. The news of the Gaudreau brothers’ untimely demise has sent shockwaves through the hockey community, with the Columbus Blue Jackets expressing profound grief over the incident.
The team released a statement, lauding Johnny as an extraordinary hockey player and a cherished family man. They extended their heartfelt condolences to his wife, Meredith, their children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, and their extended family and friends.
Johnny Gaudreau, a native of Salem, New Jersey, had a distinguished career in the National Hockey League (NHL), playing for the Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames over 11 seasons. In his final season, he participated in 81 games and scored 48 points. He leaves behind his wife, Meredith, and their two young children.
The accident occurred just a day before the Gaudreau brothers were set to serve as groomsmen in their sister Katie’s wedding. Katie is engaged to fellow hockey player Devin Joyce, and the wedding was scheduled to take place in Gloucester City, New Jersey.
The Blue Jackets’ statement also underscored Johnny’s fervor for the game, stating that his love for hockey was palpable every time he stepped on the ice. His influence on the organization and the sport was substantial, but it was his personal relationships that left the most enduring impression.
Johnny Gaudreau, a product of Oldmans Township, attended Boston College where he won the Hobey Baker Award, the highest individual award in college hockey, in 2014. He was drafted by the Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Draft and was a seven-time All-Star. His brother, Matthew, also played hockey at Boston College and later signed with the New York Islanders’ minor league affiliate in 2017.
This is the second tragedy to befall the Blue Jackets in 2021. Earlier in the year, goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks, 24, died from chest trauma after being hit by a stray firework at a private party in Michigan.