Seven-time NHL all-star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver while biking home in New Jersey Thursday evening — on the eve of their sister’s wedding.
The Columbus Blue Jackets left winger, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were biking on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township around 8 p.m. when driver Sean Higgins crashed into them from behind, the New Jersey State Police said.
Higgins, 43, told police that he was attempting to pass two other vehicles when he hit the two brothers, who were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the criminal complaint.
The trooper who responded to the crash detected alcohol on Higgins’ breath, and the driver admitted that he had “five or six beers” before the accident, cops said.
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were killed less than 24 hours before they were set to serve as groomsmen at the Friday afternoon nuptials of their sister, Katie Gaudreau, to hockey player Devin Joyce.
Follow the NY Post’s coverage on NHL star Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic death at 31:
- Johnny Gaudreau’s brother Matthew was a dad-to-be when the siblings were killed by alleged drunk driver
- Johnny Gaudreau’s wife honors NHL star with moving tribute after devastating alleged drunk driver crash: ‘Best years of my life’
- Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, brother struck and killed by car while riding bikes a day before sister’s wedding: ‘Unimaginable tragedy’
Both brothers were also star hockey players at Boston College, where they were coached by Jerry York.
“Johnny and Matt both brought so much excitement to practice,” York told The Athletic Friday morning.
“The minute those two guys stepped on the ice it just elevated everything.”
Johnny Gaudreau’s skills on the ice earned him the nickname “Johnny Hockey” – but he was also a humble teammate, York said.
“Johnny was so unimposing. You’d never pick him out when he walked into a room. You’d never say ‘This is an Olympic player.’ … There were so many great qualities about him that meant more to me than how well he could move a puck around,” the former coach recalled.
Gaudreau won the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey’s highest individual honor, on April 11, 2014.
He entered the NHL, for the Calgary Flames, the same day.
Gaudreau shocked the hockey world when, in 2022, he declined a generous resigning package from the Flames. He rejected competitive offers from the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders in favor of a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Blue Jackets.
“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice,” the Columbus team said Friday.
“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.”
Last season, Gaudreau appeared in 81 games and tallied 60 points for the Blue Jackets.
He is survived by his wife, Meredith, and two children, Noa, almost 2, and Johnny, 6 months.
Matthew Gaudreau signed with the New York Islanders’ minor league affiliate in 2017, and last played professionally in 2021.
He is survived by his wife, Madeline — who is pregnant with the couple’s first child, according to an online registry and GoFundMe page.
A baby registry in Madeline and Matthew’s names lists a due date as Dec. 31, 2024. A GoFundMe page was also set up on Friday to support Madeline and the baby, whose name will be Tripp.
His younger brother, meanwhile, signed with the New York Islanders’ minor league affiliate in 2017, and last played professionally in 2021.
The brothers are also survived by their parents, Guy and Jane, as well as another sister, Kristen.
“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, and brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans,” the heartbroken family said in a statement.
“We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief.”
Katie Gaudreau’s 1:45 p.m. wedding ceremony at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Gloucester City was canceled in the wake of her brothers’ sudden and tragic deaths.
“The whole thing is just so extraordinarily sad,” the parish priest, Fr. George Seiter, told The Post Friday afternoon.
“The wedding was canceled this morning,” he continued.
“We will remember the brothers, Johnny and Matthew, and their two sisters, and their parents in our prayers.
“It’s a big loss to the family of course, and everyone in the National Hockey League, and of course Gloucester Catholic was his alma mater so it’s a tough impact on the Gloucester Catholic family as well.”
The wedding ceremony was to have been performed by Fr. Allain Caparas of Mary Mother of Mercy Parish in Glassboro.
Fr. Caparas could not be reached for a comment.
Higgins was arrested on two counts of vehicular homicide under suspicion of drunk driving. He appeared briefly before a judge on Friday afternoon, who ordered him to be held in jail until his detention hearing next Thursday, Sept. 5.
