Blue Jackets’ Johnny Gaudreau, brother killed after being struck by car

Columbus Blue Jackets left winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed in a traffic crash Thursday in Oldmans Township, N.J., outside Philadelphia, New Jersey State Police said

Police said the Gaudreau brothers were riding bicycles on County Route 551 when they were hit by a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was trying to pass an SUV on a two-lane road. The SUV had moved to the center of the road to pass the brothers on their bicycles, who were on the SUV’s right side. The Jeep then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the Gaudreau brothers in the rear, causing them to sustain fatal injuries, according to police.

The crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. ET, about an hour after sunset.

The driver of the Jeep, Sean M. Higgins, is being investigated for driving under the influence and has been charged with two counts of death by auto, according to police. Higgins, 43, was being held in the Salem County (N.J.) Correctional Facility, the police and online inmate records confirmed.

New Jersey State Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, had an 11-year NHL career, spending the first nine seasons with the Calgary Flames before signing a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets in the summer of 2022. He had plenty of fans, earning the nickname “Johnny Hockey” for his dazzling quickness and skill.

Johnny Gaudreau
Aug. 13, 1993 – Aug. 29, 2024 pic.twitter.com/QGPsV4v7mv

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 30, 2024

Matthew Gaudreau, 29, also played pro hockey, most recently with the ECHL’s Worcester Railers in 2021-22.

“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “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 cross his path.”

Gaudreau is survived by his wife, Meredith, and two children under the age of 2: a daughter, Noa, and a son, Johnny. He’s also survived by his parents, Guy and Jane, and two sisters, Katie and Kristen Gaudreau.

According to social media posts, Katie Gaudreau’s wedding was scheduled for Friday.

“The Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the team said in a statement. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friends. … 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 … 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.”

This marks the second time in three years that an unexpected death has struck the Blue Jackets franchise. On July 4, 2021, goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died as the result of a fireworks accident in Novi, Mich.

This story will be updated.

(Photo: Ben Jackson / NHLI via Getty Images)