'Unimaginable tragedy': NHL's Johnny Gaudreau, brother killed while in N.J. for sister's wedding

CTV National News: Gaudreau brothers' funeral Family and friends said goodbye to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau after they were killed by a suspected drunk driver. Andrew Johnson reports.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau was fatally struck by a vehicle Thursday night while in New Jersey to attend his sister's wedding.

Gaudreau, 31, and his 29-year-old brother Matthew, a retired professional hockey player, were both killed in the crash in Salem County.

The two brothers were in the area for their sister Katie's wedding ceremony, which was scheduled for Friday, followed by a reception in Philadelphia. According to the sister’s wedding website, both Johnny and Matthew would serve as groomsmen.

In a brief statement released by the brothers' uncle on behalf of their families, relatives acknowledged the deaths and thanked the public.

"Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons and two brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans," the statement read.

"We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers."

What happened?

Police said the brothers were riding bicycles "close to the fog line of the roadway" when they were struck by a man driving a Jeep.

Officers said the 43-year-old driver, a resident of New Jersey identified as Sean M. Higgins, was attempting to pass another vehicle. When he tried to merge back into the northbound lane from the left, police said, another vehicle "moved to the middle of the roadway" to pass the cyclists.

"Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedalcyclists in the rear," a statement from Sgt. Charles Marchan read.

The Gaudreau brothers died of their injuries. Marchan said Higgins was taken into custody, and that police believe he was under the influence of alcohol at the time.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, but Higgins has been charged with two counts of death by auto.

'Johnny Hockey'

Public tributes rolled in in the hours after the deaths were announced, including from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"Johnny Gaudreau may have come up from the States, but hockey fans in Calgary, and across Canada, will remember him as one of our own," wrote Trudeau on social media Friday afternoon.

The Blue Jackets released a statement Friday morning saying the team is “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," the team said. "Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice."

Affectionately known as "Johnny Hockey," Gaudreau played 11 NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames. Standing at 5-foot-9, he was the poster child for a wave of hockey players who thrived through speed and skill, instead of size and strength.

In 763 regular-season games, the winger scored 241 goals and 498 assists for 739 points. Upon entering the league full time in 2014, Gaudreau immediately became one of the best scoring forwards in the game, regularly producing at nearly a point-per-game pace.

"Devastated by the loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau," wrote their friend and Los Angeles Angels centrefielder Mike Trout. "Sending my deepest condolences and love to their family."

'A doting father'

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement on the brothers' passing, saying Johnny 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," Bettman said.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine wrote on social media he and his wife, Fran, offered their deepest condolences to the Gaudreau family.

"Our thoughts are also with the entire Blue Jackets organization as they mourn the loss of one of their own," he said.

The 'genius' gene

Johnny and Matthew were star players from childhood, according to those who knew them, and both of them made big impressions on their teammates and coaches at Boston College, their alma mater.

The school held a news conference Friday afternoon with men's coach Greg Brown and his retired colleague, Jerry York.

Brown said he had been following early coverage online and had hoped the news of their deaths was a "bad rumour."

"The fact that they were together was horrific. But I like to imagine it's because they were so close," he told reporters during an emotional appearance, where he and York shared stories of the brothers' early days on the ice.

Brown said they showed "genius" talent from an early age, and that they could have taken their pick of any school. He said Boston College was lucky to have two spots available, so as not to split the brothers up.

At one point, York turned to Brown to ask how much Johnny weighed when he started with the team.

Brown responded, with a smirk: "140 pounds. Matty was 20 pounds lighter than him."

"His diet wasn't one for a world class athlete," he said, before revealing another nickname: "Johnny Ham-and-Cheese."

York also shared memories of Katie, the sister who was due to be married.

"She was a 10-year-old younger sister," said York. "Never missed a game."

"They carried that joy that they had for life and for being teammates," he added. "The whole thing is so hard."

'Sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct'

Gaudreau was selected by the Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He enrolled at Boston College soon after, and in three seasons helped the Eagles win two NCAA National Championships in 2012 and 2014, winning the Hobey Baker Award in 2014 as college hockey’s top men's player.

The Flames released a statement on the news, saying Gaudreau would always be a member of the Flames family.

"It was our privilege to call Johnny our teammate for nine amazing years in Calgary. He came to Calgary as a young man and grew up here, not only as a superstar on the ice, but also a beloved member of our community," the Flames wrote on social media.

In 2017, he won the Lady Byng Trophy, awarded to the player who "exhibits the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

Gaudreau finished with a career-high 115 points with the Flames in 2021-22, tied for second in the NHL.

After nine seasons in Calgary, he signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Blue Jackets ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. Last season, Gaudreau finished with 12 goals and 48 assists for 60 points.

"(Johnny) brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played," the Blue Jackets said.