New Jersey natives Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew were struck and killed by a driver in an SUV Thursday night while riding their bicycles near their South NJ homes, according to authorities.
Johnny, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were riding bicycles shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township, a southern New Jersey near the Delaware River, just south of the Commodore Barry Bridge, when they were struck by a driver, who is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The driver was attempting to pass two slower-moving vehicles, passing an SUV on the right-hand side, before striking the two pedalcyclists, officials said.
The brothers, who grew up in Salem County, New Jersey, played for Gloucester Catholic High School before playing collegiately at Boston College. Gaudreau, an 11-year professional and seven-time All-Star in the National Hockey League, most recently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets after spending the first nine seasons of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames.
Over the course of his career, Gaudreau amassed 243 goals and 500 assists over 763 career games in the NHL while being named to seven All-Star games.
Matthew also played professionally for five years between the AHL ECHL, and overseas in Sweden before becoming the boys head hockey coach at his former high school, Gloucester Catholic.
In response to the news of both Johnny and Matthew’s passing, the Columbus Blue Jackets released a statement 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. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.”
“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that 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. 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 do everything that 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.
The Calgary Flames also released a statement via their X account:
“It’s with great sadness, we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. 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.”
“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 pain we feel for Johnny’s wife Meridith, children Noa [and] Johnny, parents Jane [and] Guy, sisters Kristen [and] Katie, and the entire Gaudreau family is immense. Ownership, management, players, and staff of the Flames express our heartfelt sympathies during their time of sorrow.”
In addition to Gaudreau’s two NHL homes, the Philadelphia Flyers released a statement Friday morning acknowledging the great loss and reflecting on the roots of Johnny and Matthew, the latter of whom played for the organization’s ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals, in the Philadelphia and New Jersey communities.
The Philadelphia Flyers are heartbroken to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. pic.twitter.com/ydNj2td4kv
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) August 30, 2024
