The tragic deaths of NHL winger Johnny Gaudreau, 31, along with his younger brother, 29-year-old Matthew, are sure to leave indescribable voids in the lives of their family, friends.
New Jersey State police confirmed that both brothers were struck by a suspected drunk driver Thursday night while riding bicycles in Salem County.
Garden State natives, they had been in the area to serve as groomsmen in their sister’s wedding.
Immediately, condolences for Johnny Gaudreau, an 11-year NHL veteran entering his third year with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his brother began pouring in on social media platform X.
Locally, nationally and and across the greater world of hockey, mourning begins for one of the best players of his generation who was a husband and father of two.
The Penguins extend our deepest condolences to the Gaudreau family on the passing of Johnny and his brother, Matthew, whose lives were taken far too soon.
Johnny played each game with joy and his love for the game of hockey was felt by all those who watched.
Our hearts are with… pic.twitter.com/dsXlsmKBGc
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) August 30, 2024
Columbus Blue Jackets statement on the passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew. pic.twitter.com/V2aFykgKIs
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 30, 2024
Commissioner Bettman Statement on the Passing of Johnny Gaudreau. https://t.co/JJHCkBDIzF pic.twitter.com/fhbjomNOPw
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) August 30, 2024
The Gaudreaus’ passing brought condolences from NBA superstar and Akron, Ohio, native LeBron James.
Insane man! ????????♂️ . I instantly got so down????and sad???? after reading the story. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the Gaudreau family! May Johnny and Matthew fly high, guide/guard and bless their family/s from the heavens above. ????????????????????????????????
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 30, 2024
Poignantly, Blue Jackets reporter Mark Scheig shared a photo of Gaudreau and his wife, Meredith, as they anticipated the birth of their second child.
Thinking of Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, young kids, and his entire family today while they navigate this unimaginable tragedy of losing both Johnny and Matthew.
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— dani smith (@thedanismith) August 30, 2024
This image will always stick out too. This was Johnny and Meredith before their second baby. Family defined Gaudreau. #CBJ https://t.co/BwOpK4YsOb pic.twitter.com/FFOvzFwFLn
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) August 30, 2024
Reflecting on his legacy as a player, John Buccigross compared Gaudreau, who had 743 points in 746 career NHL games, to NBA Hall of Fame point guard Allen Iverson.
Gaudreau played three seasons at Boston College, where he won the Hobey Baker Award in 2014 as the top collegiate player in the nation.
A seven-time NHL All-Star, the Salem, N.J., native represented the United States internationally at several events, including five IIHF World Championships.
The definitive Johnny Gaudreau forever young hockey moment. 12 years ago. He's 18 years old. Ices the 2012 NCAA Championship game. Comically quick feet, hands, and brain. His comp for me was always Allen Iverson–I covered both in college. Impossibly small and skinny (JG MIGHT be… pic.twitter.com/dMe7WY2gtZ
— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) August 30, 2024
NHL clubs showed their support en masse, particularly the Calgary Flames, with whom Gaudreau played his first eight pro seasons and was picked 104th overall in 2011.
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
The Toronto Maple Leafs join the entire hockey community in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew.
Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the Gaudreau family, their friends, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames…
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) August 30, 2024
Like Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau also played at Boston College.
Most recently, Matthew Gaudreau had played for the Worcester Railers of the ECHL.
The university shared its well-wishes for both brothers and their families.
The entire BC community is stunned by the tragic news. Johnny Gaudreau was not only one of the greatest @BC_MHockey players but also one of the nicest. Matthew was a gifted player & beloved by teammates. Our prayers are with the Gaudreau family at this time of unimaginable loss. pic.twitter.com/RE2rbfTG3K
— Boston College (@BostonCollege) August 30, 2024
