NHL standout Johnny Gaudreau died alongside his younger brother Matthew while riding bicycles on Thursday in New Jersey, according to local authorities. He was 31.
Gaudreau, who played 11 seasons with the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his brother were struck by a vehicle driven by an alleged drunk driver traveling at a high rate of speed along the County Route 551 in the rural Oldsman Township. New Jersey State Police have identified the driver as Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, N.J., the Boston Globe reported. According to an incident report, both brothers were riding along the road’s fog line when Higgins, traveling northbound, shifted into the southbound lane as he attempted to pass a slower vehicle in his Jeep Grand Cherokee. When he tried to return to the northbound lane, the slower SUV had moved to the center of the road in order to “safely pass the two pedalcyclists traveling north on the right side of the roadway,” police wrote.
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“Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedalcyclists [from behind]. As a result of the collision, the two pedal cyclists sustained fatal injuries,” police said in a statement. They note that Higgins remained at the scene while an investigation was conducted. He was charged with two counts of death by auto and one count of suspected drunk driving. He is being held at the Salem County correctional facility pending an initial hearing.
According to the AP, both Gaudreau brothers were in town for their sister Katie’s wedding, which was scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia.
Gaudreau, a New Jersey native, skated into the NFL after a standout academic career at Boston College from 2011 to 2014. He immediately signed with the Calgary Flames as a fourth-round draft pick, and over the past two seasons had played with the Blue Jackets. Across eight seasons with the Flames, Gaudreau notched 210 goals and 399 assists, earning him a significant $68.25 million, seven-year contract with Columbus beginning in the 2022 season. He posted 33 goals to go with 101 assists in two seasons with the team.
“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 Matt,” the Blue Jackets said in a statement released Friday.
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“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. 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,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement released by the league on Friday morning.
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