NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau Has Sadly Passed Away: The recent tragedy of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother, Matt, has cast a shadow of grief over their family and the hockey world. The Gaudreau brothers were tragically killed in a collision with a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey on the eve of their sister’s wedding.According to New Jersey State Police, the accident occurred in Oldmans Township on Thursday night. Johnny, 31, and Matt, 29, were cycling when an SUV, driven by 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, struck them from behind around 8 p.m. The impact was fatal, and they were pronounced dead at the scene, approximately 35 miles south of Philadelphia.
Obituary: Johnny Gaudreau and Brother Matt Die in Devastating NJ Bicycle Accident
The brothers, who were natives of Carneys Point, New Jersey, were set to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding, scheduled for the following day in Philadelphia. The devastating loss of Johnny and Matt is compounded by the fact that they were preparing for such a joyous family occasion.
Higgins, who faces charges of death by auto, reckless driving, and several alcohol-related offenses, is alleged to have been under the influence at the time of the accident. He admitted to consuming multiple beers before driving and failed a field sobriety test. He remains in custody at a Salem County facility, awaiting a pretrial detention hearing on Sept. 5. At his initial court appearance, Higgins was represented by a public defender but plans to hire his own attorney.
Johnny Gaudreau, known affectionately as “Johnny Hockey,” had a distinguished career in the NHL, including ten seasons with the Calgary Flames and a recent seven-year, $68 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. His career was marked by remarkable achievements, including winning the Lady Byng Trophy in 2017 and being selected as an NHL All-Star. His passing is a profound loss to the sport and his many fans.
Jerry York, who coached the Gaudreau brothers at Boston College, expressed deep sorrow at their passing. “Both Matty and Johnny were terrifically admired by all of us,” York said. “Wonderful young guys who impressed us both on and off the ice.”
The Blue Jackets and Flames organizations, along with fans across North America, have paid tribute to Johnny’s legacy. Flowers and hockey sticks have been placed outside the Nationwide Arena in Columbus and the Flames’ rink in Calgary. Tributes also extended globally, with moments of silence observed in various sports events.
