Awful news out of the NHL this morning, as Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, were struck and killed by a driver while cycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey.
Brothers Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau have tragically passed away.
Johnny was 31 and Matthew was 29. pic.twitter.com/FUrwqxrYTs
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 30, 2024
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and the Blue Jackets, along with many other teams, released a statement on the tragedy. Mike Greenberg relayed on Get Up this morning that police suspected the driver of being under the influence.
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
Here’s commissioner Gary Bettman’s statement on the passing of Johnny Gaudreau.
I went to bed last night hoping this unfathomable tragedy hadn’t happened. Gutted for his family.
Johnny brought joy to hockey, with his talent and his personality. My heart goes out to his fans. pic.twitter.com/2OsTBcwdCI
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) August 30, 2024
Tributes and condolences are pouring in across the hockey world, as the Gaudreaus died on the eve of their sister’s wedding.
A mother and father just lost their two sons. A sister just lost her two brothers on the eve of her wedding. A wife just lost her husband. Two babies just lost their father and uncle. This is horrible. I can’t believe this https://t.co/UhJCtuBwLT
— joey (@JMechling_36) August 30, 2024
There’s nothing more horrific than if these indications about Johnny Gaudreau and his brother are true.
Two brothers gone the night before their sister’s wedding. I cannot comprehend the pain that family is feeling right now. No one should have to suffer something like that.
— Amanda (@nhljackhughes) August 30, 2024
I’m truly sick to my stomach. Life is so unfair and this hits on so many different levels. I’m completely heartbroken for the entire Gaudreau family.
— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) August 30, 2024
So many younger players – especially smaller ones – called Johnny Gaudreau their favorite player. Including many drafted just a few months ago.
He wasn't a high pick. Odds were stacked against him. But he managed to inspire so many to want to play the game.
He'll be missed.
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) August 30, 2024
Absolutely horrible, Johnny Gaudreau wasn’t just one of the best players this game has seen, he was a father, husband, son and brother. Rest in peace Johnny Hockey. Praying for you and your family ❤️🙏 https://t.co/oFrHKAYa4h pic.twitter.com/lNrw6mChSa
— Mario LeCrosGoat (@MarioLeGoat) August 30, 2024
This is one of those horrible situations where we’re reminded how nonchalant and cruel life can be at times. No family deserves to endure what the Gaudreaus are going through right now. Johnny Gaudreau, affectionately known as Johnny Hockey began his NHL career with the Calgary Flames, capping off his time there with his best season of 40 goals, 75 assists and 115 points in 2021-22. That led to a seven-year contract worth over $68 million in free agency to land in Columbus.
He has also been a cornerstone for Team USA over the course of his entire career, earning medals for the U18 Team, Junior Team and the Men’s National Team.
One of the wildest sports atmospheres I’ve ever witnessed in person in my life was being in Calgary when Johnny Gaudreau sent the Flames to the second round in overtime of Game 7. He had that entire building, and city, rocking. pic.twitter.com/ujAGsUFgUb
— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) August 30, 2024
Although he didn’t reach that standard of play in his first two seasons with the Jackets, Gaudreau still had a lot of time ahead to make good on the deal he signed. Sadly, he’ll never get the chance to prove that.
According to his profile on Elite Prospects, Matthew Gaudreau was the head coach at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey. That came after following in his brother’s footsteps to play at Boston College and hopping around to several different minor-league hockey stops.
Not much else to add here. Words fail to describe how devastating this is for the Gaudreau family and the greater hockey community. Just have to hope some semblance of justice is done when it comes to the driver who took the Gaudreau brothers’ lives.
