Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau defends against Seattle Krakens’ Will Borgen and Brandon Tanev during a game on January 28, 2024. PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Katelyn Auty
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John “Johnny Hockey” Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bicycles in Salem County, New Jersey.
The brothers were riding their bikes north on County Road 551 Thursday night. An SUV moved into the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes, to safely pass the Gaudreau brothers, investigators shared. The alleged drunk driver, later identified as Sean Higgins, then tried to pass the SUV, striking the brothers in the process. Both brothers were pronounced dead at the scene.
Johnny and Matthew were supposed to attend their sister’s wedding on Friday.
Johnny played with the Boston College Eagles alongside his brother from 2011 to 2014. Matthew would go on to play professional hockey in the American Hockey League and the ECHL. Johnny was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft and would go on to make his NHL debut with the Flames in the 2013-2014 season. In 2022, he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he would play for two years.
“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice,” the Blue Jackets shared in a statement. “The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.”
Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and has been charged with two counts of death by auto, Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron of the New Jersey State Police said Friday in a statement.
Higgins was booked into the Salem County Correctional Facility and was told he could face up to ten years in prison after appearing in a virtual courtroom on Friday afternoon. He admitted to having consumed five to six beers before the accident. Higgins failed a field sobriety test after the accident.
Fans gathered at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Friday to lay flowers and hockey sticks outside in honor of Johnny.
“We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy,” shared the Blue Jackets.