Thursday night Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and brother Matthew, 29, were tragically killed while riding bicycles in New Jersey, as a result of being hit by a drunk driver.
BREAKING NEWS: NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, brother Matthew killed after being struck by suspected drunk driver https://t.co/d2rt8hYySO pic.twitter.com/mhInZQWggR
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) August 30, 2024
This devastating news has led to heartbreak throughout the sports world, as it also comes just hours before the brothers were supposed to attend their sister Katie's wedding.
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were killed Thursday after being struck by a vehicle while riding their bicycles.
Both brothers were supposed to serve as groomsmen in their sister Katie’s wedding on Friday. pic.twitter.com/FnQvFLYHVh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 30, 2024
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and other notable athletes, such as LA Angels' Mike Trout paid tribute.
Insane man! 🤦🏾♂️ . I instantly got so down😔and sad🥺 after reading the story. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the Gaudreau family! May Johnny and Matthew fly high, guide/guard and bless their family/s from the heavens above. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 30, 2024
Devastated by the loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Sending my deepest condolences and love to their family.
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) August 30, 2024
After being drafted in the 2011 NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames, Johnny made his debut during the 2013-2014 season and went on to play 11 years, scoring 20+ goals in six of those seasons, contributing a total of 243 goals and 500 assists in 763 games.
To mention, younger brother Matthew Gaudreau was also a hockey standout, playing four seasons at Boston College, with one of those years being teammates with his brother, Johnny, who won a national championship at the university in 2012.
The definitive Johnny Gaudreau forever young hockey moment. 12 years ago. He's 18 years old. Ices the 2012 NCAA Championship game. Comically quick feet, hands, and brain. His comp for me was always Allen Iverson--I covered both in college. Impossibly small and skinny (JG MIGHT be… pic.twitter.com/dMe7WY2gtZ
— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) August 30, 2024
Former Boston College hockey coach Jerry York spoke about his former players.
"Just devastating news for all of us connected with the Gaudreau family. Both Matty and Johnny were terrifically admired by all of us. Wonderful young guys, and they impressed a lot of us off ice. Everybody knows how gifted they were on ice, especially Johnny — an all-world type of Olympic player and college all-star. They left tremendous impressions on all of us. We'll miss the hockey exploits they always had with us but more important how they were as young guys."
Related: NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau, Brother Killed In Bike Accident After Being Hit By Suspected Drunk Driver
