Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew have tragically passed away in a bike accident. The hockey world mourns the loss of Gaudreau, a beloved player and family man.
Bollywood Fever: Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau has tragically passed away at the age of 31 following a bike accident near his hometown. Gaudreau, along with his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, 29, was struck and killed while biking in Oldsman Township, New Jersey, on the evening of Thursday, August 29, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Both brothers were set to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding in Philadelphia the following day. “The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the franchise shared via X on Friday morning. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving father, son, brother, and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family, and friends on the sudden death of Johnny and Matthew.”
Johnny Gaudreau and his wife Meredith married in 2021. Their daughter, Noa, will turn 2 in October, and their son Johnny was born in February.
“Johnny played the game with great joy, which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice,” the Blue Jackets’ statement continued. “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.”
Johnny Gaudreau spent three seasons at Boston College, including his final junior season alongside his brother Matthew, where he won the Hobey Baker Award in 2014 as the nation’s top collegiate player. He then played the first nine seasons of his professional career with the Calgary Flames before signing with the Blue Jackets as an unrestricted free agent in 2022.
“He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could,” the Blue Jackets’ statement concluded. “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. Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and will do everything we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy. At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve.”
Matthew Gaudreau, after four seasons at Boston College, spent seven years playing minor league hockey. He married his wife Madeline Gaudreau in July 2021 and was serving as the head hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, where both brothers had played.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also issued a statement on the tragic passing of the Gaudreau brothers, reflecting on Johnny’s “infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice.”
“Gaudreau often told the story of how his father taught him to skate as a child in his home state of New Jersey, and he carried that same youthful passion throughout his 11 NHL seasons,” Bettman added. “A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau participated in the NHL All-Star Game seven times, where he was always a fan favorite, particularly while showcasing his talents in the various skills competitions for which he was so well suited.”
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