Ice hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were both killed on Thursday night when struck by a driver while cycling on the evening before their sister was due to get married.
The Gaudreau brothers were riding in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, near their hometown of Salem in the greater Philadelphia area, when they were hit from behind at around 8:00 PM. The driver, Sean Higgins, reportedly admitted drinking prior to the crash; a police affidavit filed in Salem County Superior Court reports that “Mr. Higgins stated that he had consumed approximately 5-6 beers prior to the accident.”
Higgins reportedly had passed one car and attempted to pass another SUV on the right side of that vehicle, which had made space for the two cyclists while it was passing them. Higgins, driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee, proceeded to hit the Gaudreaus from behind.
Higgins has been charged with two counts of death by auto and is currently being held without bond.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his wife Meredith had recently welcomed their second child.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 1,105 cyclists died on American roadways in 2022, the latest year for which complete data exists. That’s the highest total in almost 30 years, and cyclist fatalities have steadily risen almost every year since a 2010 low of 623 deaths. Collisions with light trucks (SUVs, pickups and vans) account for 46% of the deaths. An additional 45,000 cyclists are injured yearly in crashes, often with motor vehicles.
Gaudreau learned to skate as a kid at the Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell, New Jersey where his father was hockey director. He was selected by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Draft but opted to play collegiately first at Boston College, where he won the Hobey Baker award for the best player in the college ranks and earned the nickname “Johnny Hockey.”
He enjoyed quick success upon his NHL debut in the 2014-2015 season and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy, given to the league’s top rookie player. A seven-time NHL All-Star, Gaudreau also won the 2017-2018 season’s Lady Byng trophy for sportsmanship. He signed a seven-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022 and as a member of various U.S. national teams holds the record for the most points (43) scored by an American player in international tournaments.
Here is the complete statement released Friday morning by the Blue Jackets organization:
“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.”
Escape Collective would like to express its sympathies to Gaudreau’s family, friends, the Blue Jackets and the entire hockey community.