Canadians are mourning the death of former Calgary Flames player Johnny Gaudreau who was killed Aug. 29 after being struck by an alleged drunk driver while cycling on a county road in New Jersey.
Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were riding their bicycles in Oldmans Township when they were hit and killed by an SUV. They were scheduled to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding the following day.
New Jersey police have charged Sean Higgins, 43, with two counts of death by auto. He is also facing charges of reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
He is alleged to have told an officer that he had five or six beers before the accident and admitted to drinking behind the wheel. Higgins is being held at the Salem County Correctional Facility.
Gaudreau was known as “Johnny Hockey” and played 11 professional seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Nine of those seasons were with the Calgary Flames. He signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets ahead of the 2022-2023 season.
The Flames took to social media to express their condolences to Gaudreau’s family.
“It’s with great sadness, we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau,” an Aug. 30 X
post said. “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.”
A subsequent post by the Flames noted that he had joined the team as a young player and grew with the community.
“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
post said.
Premier Danielle Smith also posted her condolences on the social media site.
“I’m deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau,” she
wrote on Aug. 30. “Johnny was an incredible talent blessing Flames fans with so many iconic memories; but even more profound was his dedication and service in the community which left a lasting impact on so many.”
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner also expressed her condolences. “Prayers for the entire Gaudreau family,”
she wrote on X.
Former teammate and Calgary Flames player Blake Colman said he was “completely gutted” over the news.
“The world just lost one of the best. RIP Johnny,” he said in an Aug. 30 X
post.
The Toronto Maple Leafs also sent condolences to the family, friends and teammates of Gaudreau.
“The Toronto Maple Leafs join the entire hockey community in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew,” the team said in an X
post. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the Gaudreau family, their friends, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames organizations, and all those who knew and loved Johnny and Matthew during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Gaudreau leaves behind his wife, Meredith, two young children, 2-year-old Noa and 6-month-old Johnny, and two sisters and his parents.
He was a point-a-game player who had 642 points in 644 regular-season and playoff games. He had signed a seven-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets worth nearly US $69 million. It was a move that also allowed his family to be closer to relatives in New Jersey.
‘Genuine Love of Hockey’
The National Hockey League Players’ Association said it was devastated by the loss of both men.“The players and staff of the NHLPA are devastated by the terrible losses of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, and we express our sincerest condolences to the entire Gaudreau family,” the association
said on X.
NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh issued a statement, saying the entire hockey community was in mourning. “Johnny was a beloved teammate and friend in both Calgary and Columbus, and he was a joy to watch during his 10 years and 763 games in the NHL,” he said.
“He enjoyed a decorated college career at Boston College where he played together with his brother, Matthew, who also went on to play professional hockey in the AHL and ECHL. The players and staff of the NHLPA are devastated by these terrible losses.”
Gaudreau’s current team, the Blue Jackets, issued a statement saying it was shocked and devastated by his loss.
“Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend,” the team said in a social media
post.
“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone who saw him on the ice. 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.”
