Blue Jackets commemorate Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau with vigil

The Blue Jackets invite fans to remember Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew with a candlelight vigil Wednesday night at Nationwide Arena.

The memorial service begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be held on Front St. Plaza outside the east entrance. The Gaudreau brothers were killed last Thursday in a tragic bicycle accident on a two-lane road in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, near their hometown.

More: Meredith Gaudreau remembers Johnny Gaudreau: “Thank you for the best years of my life”

Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, was arrested and faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter after telling a New Jersey State Police trooper he had “five or six beers” before the fatal crash. Higgins attempted to pass two vehicles but cut behind the second vehicle, an SUV, which turned left to safely pass the Gaudreaus.

Higgins, attempting to pass on a narrow shoulder, struck both brothers from behind with a Jeep Grand Cherokee, resulting in their deaths at the scene. The tragedy sparked widespread condolences for the Gaudreaus throughout the NHL and the hockey world in general, including a vigil by fans last Friday at a memorial outside the arena.

The Blue Jackets vigil will feature speeches from representatives of the organization and there will be 13 minutes and 21 minutes of silence to symbolize the brothers' jersey numbers – 13 for Johnny, who played for Boston College, the Calgary Flames and the Blue Jackets, and 21 for Matthew, who played at Boston College and for several professional teams.

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@BrianHedger