National Hockey League (NHL) star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed after being struck by a vehicle while riding bicycles in New Jersey on Thursday night, multiple news outlets have reported.
Gaudreau’s team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, confirmed news of their passing in a statement early Friday morning.
“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,” their statement read.
Johnny Gaudreau was 31, and Matthew was 29.
According to FOX 29, officials said the brothers were riding bikes on a rural road in Oldmans Township at around 8:30 p.m. when they were struck by a car. The driver of the car reportedly stayed on site.
In a report from ESPN, police said that a driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee hit two “pedalcyclists,” identified as the Gaudreaus, from behind while trying to pass an SUV on the right that had moved over to make way for the two cyclists. Police who responded to the scene in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, at 8:19 p.m. said both Gaudreaus suffered fatal injuries.
According to the police report, the driver is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and has been charged with two counts of death by auto. The investigation is ongoing.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that Gaudreau, who joined the Blue Jackets in 2022 after nine years with the Calgary Flames, and his brother were reportedly set to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding in Philadelphia on Friday.
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
In a statement on social media, the Blue Jackets called the Gaudreaus’ deaths an “unimaginable tragedy.”
“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice,” the Blue Jackets wrote. “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.”