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NHL player Johnny Gaudreau dies at 31; brother Matthew Gaudreau dies at 29 | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

COLUMBUS, OHIO – APRIL 1: Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets takes a break during a stoppage in play against the Colorado Avalanche at Nationwide Arena on April 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

Jason Mowry/Getty Images

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his 29-year-old brother Matthew died on Thursday.

The Blue Jackets confirmed the deaths of both men in a statement released Friday morning.

Columbus Blue Jackets @BlueJacketsNHL

Statement from the Columbus Blue Jackets regarding the passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. pic.twitter.com/V2aFykgKIs

“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a opinion. “Johnny's infectious spirit and breathtaking skills on the ice earned him the nickname 'Johnny Hockey,' but he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a loving father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to everyone who was fortunate enough to cross his path.”

According to ABC 6 in Philadelphia, New Jersey state troopers confirmed that Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were killed when they were struck by a car while riding their bicycles around 8:30 p.m. local time Thursday night.

The driver of the vehicle “is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident,” police said, according to ABC.

According to ESPN, “the two brothers, who are from New Jersey, were in the area to serve as groomsmen at their sister Katie's wedding, scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia.”

Johnny Gaudreau played college hockey at Boston College from 2011 to 2014. He helped the Eagles win the national championship in the 2011-12 season and was awarded the Hobey Baker Award as the country's best male player in the 2013-14 season.

The Calgary Flames originally selected Gaudreau in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Draft. He signed his entry-level contract with the club the same day he was awarded the Hobey Baker Award.

Calgary Flames @NHLFlames

It is with great sadness that we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau.
We are heartbroken by this devastating loss. Johnny was and will always be a member of the Flames family and is loved by all of Calgary. pic.twitter.com/xFm1md0vwh

Gaudreau made his NHL debut with the Flames on the final day of the 2013–14 regular season. He became a full-time player in the 2014–15 season, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team in his first full season.

TJ Oshie @TJOshie77

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gaudreau family. So incredibly sad.

After spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Flames, Gaudreau signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets as a free agent. He played 161 games for Columbus over the last two seasons.

Gaudreau played 763 games in the NHL over 11 seasons, scoring 743 points, including a career-high 115 points in the 2021-22 season.

Matthew Gaudreau was a professional ice hockey player in the ECHL. He most recently played for the Worcester Railers during the 2021-22 season. He also played one season for the Reading Royals.

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