Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau dead at 31

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus Blue Jackets left winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were killed Thursday night when the pair were riding bicycles and were struck by a suspected drunk driver.

Johnny Gaudreau turned 31 years old this month.

The Gaudreaus were in southern New Jersey for the wedding of their sister, Katie. Investigators said Johnny and Matthew, 29, were riding their bikes north on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township on Thursday at 8:19 p.m. At that time, Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee north on the same stretch of road, according to New Jersey state police.

Higgins reportedly tried to pass two vehicles ahead of him, police said. An SUV in front of Higgins moved toward the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass the Gaudreau brothers as they rode their bikes on the right side of the road, according to investigators.

Higgins then allegedly tried to pass the SUV on the right side of the road and struck the brothers, police said. Both died from their injuries.

New Jersey State Police reported in a criminal complaint that Higgins, who remained at the scene, said he consumed approximately five or six beers before the crash. He then failed a series of standardized field sobriety tests.

Police said Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. He was taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility, where he will remain until a detention hearing Thursday.

In a statement, the team said, “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 [family] and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.”

The brothers’ uncle, Jim Gaudreau, said in a statement on behalf of family, “We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support, and we appreciated your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief.”

Johnny Gaudreau, known as “Johnny Hockey,” amassed 243 goals and 500 assists over 11 seasons in the NHL. He signed with the Blue Jackets as a free agent two seasons ago and led the team in points with 74 and 60, respectively, including 101 assists. He chose the Blue Jackets over bigger contract offers, saying he wanted to be able to raise his family in central Ohio.

Reactions to death of Columbus Blue Jackets’ Johnny Gaudreau

He joined the league in 2015 and as a rookie with the Calgary Flames, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL draft. He played in the 2015 All-Star Game at Nationwide Arena and tallied two assists. He went on to finish in the top 10 in NHL scoring four times in nine seasons, including second overall in the 2021-22 season when he had a career-high 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists).

That season he also scored two winning goals to help the Flames defeat the Dallas Stars in seven games of the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The next season, after he signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Blue Jackets, Gaudreau became the first NHL player in 12 years to score more than 40 goals and then change teams in the offseason. His 74-point season earned him a spot on the NHL All-Star team.

Among Gaudreau’s accolades includes seven trips to the All-Star Game. He was named to the 2015 All-Rookie team, the 2022 NHL First All-Star Team and earned the 2017 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, as the “player adjudged to have exhibited the best sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

Gaudreau played three seasons for Boston College, where he helped the Eagles win the NCAA Championship in 2012 and earned the Hobey Baker Award in 2014. He ranks 10th all time on the team’s scoring list, with 175 points, and was twice named AHCA First Team All-Americans.

Matthew Gaudreau also played hockey professionally for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League, and the Worcester Railers and the Reading Royals of the ECHL. He and Johnny played together at Boston College in 2013 and as a senior, Matthew led the Eagles in assists and points.

Matthew Gaudreau turned to coaching and became coach of Gloucester (New Jersey) Catholic High School hockey team in 2022.

The Gaudreau brothers were born in Salem, New Jersey, and grew up in Carneys Point Township. They were scheduled to be groomsmen in their sister’s wedding, which was to take place Friday in Philadelphia.

The accident marks the second death within the franchise in the past three years. On July 4, 2021, goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died at age 24 from chest trauma after an errant fireworks mortar blast. Like Gaudreau, he was about to attend a wedding.

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