Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau mourned by hockey community after New Jersey accident
The hockey community |A|
was shaken Friday morning, |B|
waking up to the |C|
news that NHL superstar |D|
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and |E|
his brother, Matthew, 29, |F|
were killed by a |G|
suspected drunk driver while |H|
riding bikes in Salem |J|
County, New Jersey. According |K|
to police, the Gaudreau |L|
brothers were riding bicycles |M|
on County Route 551 |O|
in Oldsman Township when |P|
they were struck by |Q|
a man driving a |R|
Jeep on Thursday night. |S|
Police identified the driver |U|
as 43-year-old Sean Higgins |V|
of Woodstown, New Jersey. |Y|
A New Jersey |D| state trooper wrote in |E| an affidavit of probable |F| cause, "Mr. Higgins stated |G| that he had consumed |H| approximately 5-6 beers prior |J| to the accident. I |K| administered Standardized Field Sobriety |L| Tests, to which he |M| failed."
Jim Gaudreau, the |O| uncle of Johnny and |P| Matthew Gaudreau, released a |Q| statement on behalf of |R| their family:
"Last night |S| we lost two husbands, |U| two fathers, two sons, |V| two brothers, two sons |Y| and brothers in law, |Z| two nephews, two cousins, |A| two family members, two |B| teammates, two friends but |C| truly two amazing humans.
|D| dir="ltr">"We want to let |E| everyone know we are |F| receiving your messages of |G| love and support and |H| we appreciate your continued |J| thoughts and prayers. We |K| ask for your continued |L| respect and privacy during |M| this very difficult period |O| of grief.
"From all |P| our families and the |Q| bottom of our hearts |R| (the Gaudreau, Morris, Korbitz, |S| Venello and Joyce Families)."
|U| dir="ltr">The Gaudreau brothers were |V| raised in Carneys Point |Y| Township, where the community |Z| is doing its part |A| to remember them. A |B| memorial continued to grow |C| Friday outside the Hollydell |D| Ice Arena in Sewell. |E| Neighbors, friends and strangers |F| have stopped by the |G| arena to leave flowers, |H| hockey sticks and other |J| memorabilia.
Guy Gaudreau was |K| the hockey director at |L| Hollydell Ice Arena, where |M| his boys learned to |O| play hockey as children.
|P| dir="ltr">"Theyre South Jersey legends, |Q| Matty and Johnny. Weve |R| had a lot of |S| pros coming out of |U| this region, lucky enough, |V| and Johnny is the |Y| best," Hollydell Ice Arenas |Z| President Jim Mackey said. |A| "He was a fantastic |B| hockey player. Matt came |C| back to his roots. |D| Matt worked here for |E| the last four years |F| as an assistant coach |G| with our junior hockey |H| program to give back |J| to the community and |K| back to the team."
|L| dir="ltr">Philadelphia Flyers statement
The |M| Gaudreau brothers grew up |O| in Carneys Point Township |P| in Salem County and |Q| both were Flyers fans. |R| Johnny and Matthew each |S| played for the Little |U| Flyers, a Tier III |V| junior ice hockey team |Y| in Aston, Pennsylvania, and |Z| Team Comcast, a youth |A| hockey team.
The Philadelphia |B| Flyers said Friday they |C| were "heartbroken" to learn |D| of the Gaudreau brothers |E| death. They said the |F| brothers were "deeply rooted |G| in the Philadelphia and |H| New Jersey community, where |J| they spent their entire |K| childhood on the ice."
|L| dir="ltr">"Throughout all of their |M| success in the hockey |O| world, both continued to |P| give back to our |Q| community," the Flyers statement |R| reads, in part. "Johnny |S| and Matthew, as well |U| as the entire Gaudreau |V| family, have made a |Y| sizable difference in the |Z| lives of so many |A| in the Philadelphia area |B| to learning and growing |C| to love the sport |D| of hockey.
"Our prayers |E| and deepest sympathies go |F| out to Johnnys wife, |G| Meredith, their children, Noa |H| and Johnny, Matthews wife |J| Madeline, and the entire |K| Gaudreau family during this |L| unimaginably difficult time. Johnny |M| and Matthew were, and |O| always will be, beloved |P| and cherished members of |Q| the Flyers community and |R| entire hockey world."
Philadelphia |S| Little Flyers Youth Hockey |U| statement
In a detailed |V| Facebook statement, Philadelphia Little |Y| Flyers Youth Hockey and |Z| IceWorks Skating Complex, where |A| the Little Flyers play, |B| said theyre "saddened to |C| learn of the tragic |D| passing of two of |E| our own, Johnny and |F| Matthew Gaudreau."
"Through all |G| their successes, they always |H| gave back to the |J| local Pennsylvania and New |K| Jersey youth hockey community," |L| the statement reads. "Two |M| role models that up-and-coming |O| players can look up |P| to and emulate."
"Im |Q| devastated to hear about |R| the passing of Matty |S| and Johnny, two guys |U| I have watched grow |V| up on the ice |Y| since they were born, |Z| playing for the Little |A| Flyers and then moving |B| on to Juniors, Boston |C| College and then the |D| Pros," IceWorks Skating Complex |E| general manager Stephane said |F| in a statement. "No |G| matter how successful they |H| were, they always picked |J| up the phone and |K| were willing to help |L| promote the game in |M| any way possible locally. |O| My heart breaks for |P| their parents, Guy and |Q| Jane, who have been |R| friends of mine for |S| 30+ years."
The Little |U| Flyers shared a photo |V| of the brothers as |Y| kids, clad in Flyers |Z| and Eagles gear.
Reading |A| Royals statement
Matthew Gaudreau |B| played five years of |C| professional hockey, mostly in |D| the ECHL. In 2019-20, |E| he reconnected with the |F| Flyers organization and skated |G| in 38 games for |H| the teams ECHL affiliate, |J| Reading Royals.
"The Reading |K| Royals are deeply saddened |L| by the passing of |M| both Matthew and Johnny |O| Gaudreau. We offer our |P| sincerest condolences to the |Q| Gaudreau family and their |R| friends at this time."
|S| dir="ltr">Gloucester Catholic statement
Johnny |U| and Matthew Gaudreau attended |V| and played hockey at |Y| Gloucester Catholic High School |Z| in Gloucester City. After |A| Matthew Gaudreau finished his |B| playing career, he joined |C| the high school as |D| its hockey coach.
On |E| social media, Gloucester Catholic |F| said the Gaudreau brothers |G| were a "source of |H| great pride" for the |J| school community and the |K| school is "devastated by |L| the sudden and unspeakable |M| losses of beloved alumni |O| Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau."
|P| dir="ltr">"Johnny and Matt were |Q| incredible hockey players and |R| students, but even more |S| amazing human beings," Gloucester |U| Catholic Principal Thomas lacovone, |V| Jr. said in a |Y| statement. "Their loss will |Z| be felt forever by |A| the entire Gloucester Catholic |B| community and by me |C| personally. I will continue |D| to pray for them |E| and their families during |F| this unimaginable tragedy."
Boston |G| College statement
The Gaudreau |H| brothers each played for |J| Boston College, where Johnny |K| Gaudreau won the Hobey |L| Baker Award in 2014 |M| and earned the nickname |O| "Johnny Hockey." The brothers |P| crossed paths for one |Q| season at BC in |R| 2013-14.
A spokesperson for |S| Boston College told CBS |U| News that the college |V| community is "stunned by |Y| this tragic news."
"Johnny |Z| Gaudreau was not only |A| one of the greatest |B| players in the history |C| of Boston College hockey, |D| but one of the |E| nicest as well," Jack |F| Dunn wrote in an |G| email to CBS News. |H| "Matthew was a gifted |J| [player] who was equally |K| beloved by his teammates. |L| Our prayers are with |M| Johnny, Matthew and the |O| entire Gaudreau family at |P| this time of unimaginable |Q| loss."
Columbus Blue Jackets |R| statement
Johnny Gaudreau became |S| a free agent in |U| 2022 and signed a |V| seven-year, nearly $69 million |Y| contract with the Blue |Z| Jackets.
The Blue Jackets |A| confirmed the Gaudreaus death |B| on social media on |C| Friday morning.
"The Columbus |D| Blue Jackets are shocked |E| and devastated by this |F| unimaginable tragedy," the Blue |G| Jackets said in a |H| statement. "Johnny was not |J| only a great hockey |K| player, but more significantly |L| a loving husband, father, |M| son, brother and friend. |O| We extend our heartfelt |P| sympathies to his wife, |Q| Meredith, his children, Noa |R| and Johnny, his parents, |S| their family and friends |U| on the sudden loss |V| of Johnny and Matthew."
|Y| dir="ltr">Columbus changed its profile |Z| picture on X to |A| No. 13, Johnny Gaudreaus |B| number.
Calgary Flames statement
|C| dir="ltr">The Flames drafted Johnny |D| Gaudreau with the 104th |E| overall pick in the |F| 2011 NHL draft. He |G| scored 210 goals and |H| 609 points in 602 |J| games over nine seasons |K| in Calgary and made |L| five All-Star teams.
"Johnny |M| was and always will |O| be a member of |P| the Flames family and |Q| loved by all of |R| Calgary," the Flames said |S| in a statement. "It |U| was our privilege to |V| call Johnny our teammate |Y| for nine amazing years |Z| in Calgary. He came |A| to Calgary as a |B| young man and grew |C| up here, not only |D| as a superstar on |E| the ice, but also |F| a beloved member of |G| our community."
New York |H| Islanders statement
Matthew Gaudreau |J| spent time in the |K| New York Islanders organization, |L| playing for their AHL |M| affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers |O| (now Bridgeport Islanders) and |P| ECHL affiliate Worcester Railers.
|Q| dir="ltr">"The entire New York |R| Islanders organization is deeply |S| saddened by the passing |U| of both Johnny and |V| Matthew Gaudreau. We offer |Y| our sincerest condolences to |Z| the Gaudreau family. They |A| both were tremendous ambassadors |B| for the sport of |C| hockey and even better |D| people in the community. |E| We ask that everyone |F| keep the Gaudreau family |G| and all those these |H| two great young men |J| came in contact with, |K| in your thoughts and |L| prayers."
New Jersey Gov. |M| Phil Murphy statement
New |O| Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy |P| issued a statement saying, |Q| "
"Tammy and I |R| are heartbroken by the |S| shocking and tragic loss |U| of Johnny and Matthew |V| Gaudreau, who were killed |Y| yesterday evening while biking |Z| in Oldmans Township.
"The |A| Gaudreau siblings were proud |B| New Jersey natives. The |C| two of them discovered |D| their love for hockey |E| in the rinks of |F| South Jersey, and followed |G| their passion up to |H| Boston, where both brothers |J| quickly emerged as star |K| players on the Boston |L| College mens hockey team.
|M| dir="ltr">"After college, Johnny went |O| on to play in |P| the NHL—most recently, with |Q| the Columbus Blue Jackets—and |R| earned the adoration of |S| hockey fans around the |U| world, as well as |V| his fellow players. They |Y| all recognized that our |Z| beloved "Johnny Hockey" was |A| a star in every |B| sense of the word—both |C| on and off the |D| ice.
"Matt, for his |E| part, dedicated himself to |F| cultivating the talent of |G| young athletes who shared |H| his passion for hockey. |J| After playing for teams |K| in the AHL and |L| ECHL, Matt returned to |M| South Jersey, and served |O| as the head hockey |P| coach at his alma |Q| mater, Gloucester Catholic.
"To |R| every member of the |S| Gaudreau family, please know |U| that the people of |V| New Jersey grieve with |Y| you.
"Tammy and I |Z| are sending our heartfelt |A| prayers to Johnnys wife, |B| Meredith, their two beloved |C| children, Noa and Johnny, |D| Matthews wife Madeline, as |E| well as their parents, |F| Jane and Guy, and |G| sisters Katie and Kristen."
|H| dir="ltr">Former New Jersey Gov. |J| Chris Christie statement
In |K| a post on X, |L| New Jersey Gov. Chris |M| Christie wrote, "The news |O| this morning on Johnny |P| & Matthew Gaudreau is |Q| simply heartbreaking. Johnny was |R| a New Jersey legend—so |S| much so that when |U| I went on a |V| Canadian trade mission as |Y| Governor I was given |Z| a Flames Gaudreau jersey. |A| He was NJ. Our |B| heart goes out to |C| the Gaudreau family. Simply |D| awful."
NHL statements
The |E| Gaudreau brothers death hit |F| the hockey community, with |G| teams throughout the league |H| issuing condolences to the |J| Gaudreau family.
NHL Commissioner |K| Gary Bettman issued a |L| statement, reading, in part,:
|M| dir="ltr">"While Johnnys infectious spirit |O| for the game and |P| show-stopping skills on the |Q| ice earned him the |R| nickname Johnny Hockey, he |S| was more than just |U| a dazzling hockey player; |V| he was a doting |Y| father and beloved husband, |Z| son, brother and teammate |A| who endeared himself to |B| every person fortunate enough |C| to have crossed his |D| path.
"Gaudreau often told |E| the story of how |F| his father taught him |G| to skate as a |H| child in his home |J| state of New Jersey |K| and he carried that |L| same youthful passion throughout |M| his 11 NHL seasons. |O| A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau |P| participated in the NHL |Q| All-Star Game seven times |R| where he was always |S| a fan favorite, particularly |U| while showcasing his talents |V| in the various skills |Y| competitions for which he |Z| was so well suited."
|A| dir="ltr">The Pittsburgh Penguins said |B| in a statement on |C| X, "The Penguins extend |D| our deepest condolences to |E| the Gaudreau family on |F| the passing of Johnny |G| and his brother, Matthew, |H| whose lives were taken |J| far too soon. Johnny |K| played each game with |L| joy and his love |M| for the game of |O| hockey was felt by |P| all those who watched."
|Q| dir="ltr">Jalen Hurts statement
In |R| a post on X, |S| Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen |U| Hurts wrote, "Im deeply |V| saddened to hear of |Y| the passing of Johnny |Z| & Matthew Gaudreau. Johnny |A| was a dedicated hockey |B| player, Birds fan & |C| cherished member of the |D| Eagles faithful. I want |E| to send my heartfelt |F| condolences to the entire |G| Gaudreau family & those |H| impacted by this loss! |J| #FlyJohnnyFly."
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