NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, and his younger brother Matthew, were tragically killed on Thursday night. It was the night before their sister’s wedding.
Police in the Gaudreau’s home state of New Jersey, where the incident happened, say they were hit by a suspected drunk driver while riding bikes.
According to officials, the driver was 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, who is now facing multiple charges in connection to the deaths.
Johnny Gaudreau, known as “Johnny Hockey,” played 10 seasons in the NHL. Eight of those were spent here in Canada, with the Calgary Flames.
With the Flames, Gaudreau quickly became one of hockey’s top players, and a fan-favourite across the country.
He was preparing to begin his third season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Fans laid flowers and hockey sticks for the brothers outside of a Columbus arena, with moments of silence happening at sporting events across the nation.
Tributes have poured in over social media as well, with the likes of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sharing support for the Gaudreau family.
Johnny was 31 and leaves behind his wife and two young children. His brother Matthew was 29, and is survived by his wife.
It’s with great sadness, we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau.
Our hearts are broken by this devastating loss. Johnny was and always will be a member of the Flames family and loved by all of Calgary. pic.twitter.com/xFm1md0vwh
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) August 30, 2024
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