Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew have died, the team confirmed in a statement on Friday — a day before they were reportedly due to be part of their sister's wedding.
"Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend," the Blue Jackets said in a statement. "We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew."
The New Jersey State Police confirmed that the Gaudreau brothers were involved in a cycling accident in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, Thursday evening. Police said that the Gaudreaus were struck by a sedan being driven by Sean M. Higgins after he attempted to move around slower-moving vehicles. Police said Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and was charged with two counts of death by auto.
"Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers-in-law, two uncles, two nephews, two cousins, two family members two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans," Gaudreau's father, Jim, said in a statement to Scripps News. "We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief. From all our families and the bottom of our hearts (the Gaudreau, Morris, Korbitz, Venello and Joyce Families)."
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Johnny Gaudreau was arguably one of the top Americans playing in the NHL, having appeared in seven NHL All-Star Games, most recently in 2023. In 2017, he was given the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."
Prior to joining the NHL, he was college hockey's top player as he was awarded a Hobey Baker Award in 2014 as a member of Boston College.
He started his pro career in Calgary before signing a free-agent contract with the Blue Jackets in 2022. He was ready to begin his third season in Columbus in about six weeks.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued a statement after learning about the brothers' deaths:
“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew," said Bettman. "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."
According to a post on the wedding website The Knot, the two brothers were set to be groomsmen at their sister Katie's wedding in Philadelphia on Friday.
Johnny Gaudreau was 31 years old. Matthew Gaudreau, who was Johnny's college teammate before playing several years in the minor leagues, was 29. A GoFundMe has been created to help support Matthew's wife, Madeline, who is currently pregnant.
On Saturday, Johnny's wife, Meredith Gaudreau, posted two statements on Instagram regarding his death.
The first read, "Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much. You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever."
The second one acknowledged his role as a father to their two children. In the post, she said, "The absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with. John never missed a single appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much daddy."
Friday, Blue Jackets fans started a vigil for Gaudreau, placing flowers, cards, hockey sticks, jerseys, bobbleheads and other items around Nationwide Arena.
For the fans, losing Gaudreau means losing a player who brought them hope and excitement from the moment he chose them. Gaudreau opted to sign with the Blue Jackets as a free agent in 2022, choosing Columbus over more popular suitors.
"There was always that image that no star players wanted to sign with Columbus and then Johnny came and it gave us hope," one Blue Jackets fan told WSYX.
Forever thankful to Gaudreau, fans took time to pay their respects and grow the vigil outside of the arena. In Cleveland, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is displaying images of Gaudreau to honor his memory. And in Columbus, the Crew will hold a moment of silence on the 13th minute of play in Saturday night's game—13 in honor of Gaudreau's jersey number.
Gaudreau's death marks the second time an active Blue Jackets player has been killed in an accident in recent years. In 2021, goalie Matiss Kivlenieks was killed in a fireworks incident in Michigan.
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