ICE hockey star Johnny Gaudreau who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets has died, the team has confirmed.
The 31-year-old winger and his brother suddenly died in what the Blue Jackets have described as an “unimaginable tragedy.”
On Friday morning, the NHL team shared a statement confirming the news.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy.
“Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.”
In a tribute to the player nicknamed “Johnny Hockey,” the team praised his “genuine love” for the sport and the “great joy” that he played with.
“He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound.”
Reports claim that the two brothers were struck by a vehicle while biking in Oldmans Township in New Jersey, near their hometown of Salem, per The Columbus Dispatch.
The incident occurred around 8:30 pm, according to a report about the fatal collision by ABC News affiliate WPVI.
The driver involved in the crash remained at the scene, cops told the outlet.
However, the identity of the two cyclists has not officially been confirmed as the Gaudreau brothers.
The two brothers were set to celebrate their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding in Philadelphia on Friday, The Dispatch reported.
Both men were to be groomsmen and Johnny’s wife Meredith was to be maid-of-honor.
The bride-to-be excitedly posted a picture on her Instagram stories of a rehearsal ceremony on Thursday and shared a throwback post by a friend that said “T-1 day till she says I do.”
No comment has yet been made by the heartbroken family.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy.
“Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family, and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.
“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 from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets.
“He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. 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.
“Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy.
“At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve.”
Earlier this year, Gaudreau and Meredith welcomed their second child, named Johnny after his father.
“Love you @johngaudreau03 – 2 under 2 life here we comeeee,” Meredith excitedly wrote in an Instagram post announcing the birth of their first son.
Meanwhile, fans have posted tributes and prayers on Gaudreau’s Instagram page and under the team’s official statement.
“The hockey world will be hurting for a long time,” one wrote as others called the Blue Jackets star a “legend” of the sport.
“Wow this is gut-wrenching. Rest in peace Johnny and Matthew,” another wrote.
I’m just been sitting here sobbing.
Fan
On Gaudreau’s Instagram page, one fan commented saying, “You’re the reason I wear #13.”
“Way too early Johnny, you got some fight in ya, so sorry for family,” another said.
“I’m just been sitting here sobbing over Johnny Gaudreau,” a third added as they called the situation unfair.
Matthew, 29, was also an ice hockey player who was formerly with the Worcester Railers before he retired.
“My heart is destroyed,” a fan wrote under his latest Instagram post of his honeymoon in 2022.
The hockey star was two years into his seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets that he signed for $68.2 million.
He has been praised by Union and Blue for “producing offense entirely on his own” after a slow start to the season and for taking the lead for the team in terms of scoring with 18 points ahead of the next forward.
The U.S. Sun has contacted the New Jersey Police Department and the Blue Jackets for comment.
