Johnny Gaudreau's death another tragic gut punch to Columbus Blue Jackets

Three years after mourning the death of goalie Matiss Kivlenieks in a fireworks tragedy, the Blue Jackets are grieving again.

The team is now mourning the death of forward Johnny Gaudreau, who was struck and killed Thursday while biking with his younger brother, Matt, in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. They were struck around 8 p.m. on a road in Salem County.

Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, was taken into custody on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol, and police charged him with two counts of vehicular homicide, the state police said. He is currently in the Salem County Correctional Facility.

More: NHL 'shocked and saddened' by tragic death of Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau

Gaudreau, 31, had two young children with his wife, Meredith, and chose to play in Columbus after surprising the NHL by signing with the Blue Jackets in July 2022 as a free agent. The team’s pain from dealing with another summer tragedy is apparent in the lengthy statement released Friday about Gaudreau’s death.

It 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 that 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.

"He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. 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. Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy. At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve.”

Only 38 months after losing Kivlenieks during a fireworks incident at a wedding reception in the backyard of former Blue Jackets goalie coach Manny Legace’s home, the same NHL team is now mourning the loss of Gaudreau on the day that he and his brother were supposed to be groomsmen in their sister’s wedding.

A Blue Jackets spokesman said Friday that while the team grieves Gaudreau’s death, no further comments will be issued by the team until a later date. No information was available about memorial services.

After starting his NHL career by playing in nine seasons with the Calgary Flames, Gaudreau logged two years in Columbus after signing a seven-year contract. His Blue Jackets career ended with 33 goals, 101 assists and 134 points in 161 games, but Gaudreau’s loss will be much harder to swallow inside the home locker room at Nationwide Arena. His loss is also being mourned across the NHL, where he left a legacy as a revered player and beloved person.

“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path.”

The deaths of Gaudreau and Kivlenieks were preceded by the death of a Blue Jackets fan, Brittanie Cecil, in March 2002 at Nationwide Arena. Cecil, 13, was struck in the head by a deflected puck on March 16, 2002, and she died two days later ― just two days before her 14^th birthday.

Cecil's death was the first of its kind in NHL history and prompted the requirement that safety netting be installed at both ends of every arena in the league.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Johnny Gaudreau death another tragic loss for Columbus Blue Jackets