Johnny Gaudreau, Columbus Blue Jacket forward, and his brother, Matthew, died Thursday night. He was 31 years old.
There are reports they were killed by a drunk driver while biking Thursday night in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, close to their hometown in Salem County, New Jersey.
Gaudreau was chosen as Blue Jacket’s first forward after signing in July 2022 as an unrestricted free agent from the Calgary Flames.
According to a post on a popular wedding site, Gaudreau and his brother were scheduled to be groomsmen in their sister’s wedding Friday in Philadelphia.
The team’s statement reads in full:
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. 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.
“Johnny played the game with great joy, which was felt by everyone who saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets.
Before now, Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks was killed in a fireworks incident on July 4, 2021, in Novi, Michigan at the home of Manny Legacy, the team’s former goalie coach.
This year, Gaudreau got three goals, eight assists, and 11 points in eight games to finish third on the team in scoring and he tied for fourth in the tournament.
He also led the Blue Jackets with 12-48-60 in 81 games last season, the second year in a row Gaudreau led the team in points, but it was a 14-point drop from his first season in Columbus (2022-23).
