South Jersey native Johnny Gaudreau, who starred in the NHL, along with his brother, killed by suspected drunk driver

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NHL hockey star and South Jersey native Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver while they were riding bicycles in Salem County, New Jersey, Thursday night.

The brothers were going to be groomsmen today at their sister Katie’s wedding.

According to a statement by the New Jersey State Police, Johnny Gaudreau, 31, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, died when a Jeep Grand Cherokee hit them from behind on County Route 551 in Oldsmans Township around 8:30 p.m.

According to a police affidavit, the driver, identified as Sean Higgins of Woodstown, New Jersey, failed a field sobriety test and has been charged with two counts of death by auto.

Johnny Gaudreau, who was also called “Johnny Hockey,” became a star at Gloucester Catholic High School in Camden County before playing college hockey at Boston College, where he was an integral part of the team winning its third national championship in five years, including scoring a key goal in the championship game.

He was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2014 and played in nine seasons with the Flames before he signed a seven-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent in 2022, where he spent the last two NHL seasons.

His brother, Matthew, also played college hockey at Boston College and was the head hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic after playing pro hockey for five years.

Kim Wright of Springfield, Pennsylvania, said her four boys, who all play hockey, had the chance to meet and interact with Johnny and Matthew on several occasions at different training events at Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell, New Jersey, and other local rinks.

“They gave their time at youth programs, they inspired the kids, and they were always down to earth,” she said.

“They would let the youngsters know, ‘Hey, we skated at the same places you did, on the same teams, and you can do it too,’” she said.

Wright said more importantly, Johnny and Matthew taught her sons Aidan, Brady, Jack and Charley “things like how important working hard is, doing good in school and being a great teammate and being a coachable kid.”

She called the death of the Gaudreau brothers a terrible tragedy.

“The whole hockey community is just devastated because, when we see those boys, we see our own kids,” Wright said.

In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Blue Jackets said the team was “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. Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. 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,” the team wrote.

A statement from the brothers’ high school said, in part, “The Gloucester Catholic Family is devastated by the sudden and unspeakable losses of beloved alumni Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.”

“Johnny and Matt were incredible hockey players and students, but even more amazing human beings. Their loss will be felt forever,” Principal Thomas Iacovone said.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also lauded Gaudreau’s talent on the ice as well as his commitment to his family and teammates off of it.

“While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he 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 in a statement.

The Philadelphia Flyers said on X that the organization is “heartbroken to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of Johnny and Mathew Gaudreau.”

“Johnny and Matthew are deeply rooted in the Philadelphia and New Jersey Community where they spent their entire childhood on the ice. They were and always will be, beloved and cherished members of the Flyers community and entire hockey,” the team wrote.

Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith, and their children, Noa and Johnny. Matthew is survived by his wife Madeline, as well as the brothers’ parents, Guy and Jane; and sisters Kristen and Katie.