Blue Jackets Star Johnny Gaudreau and Brother Tragically Killed

The unimaginable news was merely a rumor in the wee hours of Friday morning. By 7:30 a.m., the Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed that star forward Johnny Gaudreau was killed in a biking accident in New Jersey, near his hometown of Salem Thursday night. His brother Matthew was also killed.

Johnny was 31. Matthew was 29.

Authorities have not released details of the accident. Local reports indicate the pair were struck by a vehicle on a rural road. The driver remained at the scene.

Update: Additional local reports indicate the driver attempted to pass a slower vehicle, which had moved to the middle of the road to avoid the bicyclists, and in doing so struck the brothers.

The brothers were supposed to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding on Friday.

Gaudreau is survived by his wife, Meredith, and two young children: a daughter, Noa, and a son, Johnny.

The Blue Jackets released a statement Friday morning.

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

Last season was Gaudreau’s second in Columbus after he signed in 2022 as an unrestricted free agent. Although he scored only 12 goals and 60 points, optimism was growing around the Columbus rebuild. He scored a career-high 40 goals with 115 points during his ninth and final season with the Calgary Flames in 2021-22.

Gaudreau’s passing is the second tragedy to befall the Columbus organization in three years. Goalie Matiss Kevlenieks was killed during a July 4, 2021, party when he dove in front of teammates and their families to shield them from errant fireworks.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now sends its heart-felt condolences to the Gaudreau family, the Blue Jackets family, and fans.

Commissioner Gary Bettman also released a statement.

“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. 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.

“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. 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.

“He will be remembered fondly in Calgary, where he played his first nine seasons with the Flames from 2013-14 to 2021-22, emerging as one of our League’s brightest young stars while compiling the franchise’s fifth-highest career points total. His loss also will be felt profoundly in Columbus, the city in which he chose to settle his family and where he was one of the respected, veteran leaders of a club building toward the playoffs. And both Johnny and Matthew will be mourned at Boston College, where they were teammates the year Johnny won the Hobey Baker Award in 2013-14, and at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, where both played and where Matthew was the head hockey coach following his own five-year pro playing career.

“We send our most heart-felt condolences to his wife Meredith; their children, Noa and Johnny; his parents, Guy and Jane; and sisters Kristen and Katie. And we grieve alongside his teammates, members of the Blue Jackets and Flames organizations, his many friends in hockey and countless fans around the world for whom he created indelible memories on and off the ice.”