Columbus Blue Jackets left winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, have been killed in a site visitors hit Thursday in Oldmans Township, N.J., out of doors Philadelphia, Brandnew Jersey Surrounding Police stated
Police stated the Gaudreau brothers have been using bicycles on County Direction 551 once they have been clash through a Jeep Elegant Cherokee that was once looking to go an SUV on a two-lane street. The SUV had moved to the middle of the street to go the brothers on their bicycles, who have been at the SUV’s proper facet. The Jeep after tried to go the SUV at the proper and struck the Gaudreau brothers within the rear, inflicting them to maintain dreadful accidents, in step with police.
The hit befell round 8:30 p.m. ET, about an pace nearest sundown.
The driving force of the Jeep, Sean M. Higgins, is being investigated for riding below the affect and has been charged with two counts of dying through auto, in step with police. Higgins, 43, was once being held within the Salem County (N.J.) Correctional Facility, the police and on-line inmate data showed.
Brandnew Jersey Surrounding Police stated the investigation is ongoing.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, had an 11-year NHL profession, spending the primary 9 seasons with the Calgary Flames ahead of signing a seven-year promise with the Blue Jackets in the summertime of 2022. He had enough of fanatics, incomes the nickname “Johnny Hockey” for his glorious quickness and ability.
Johnny Gaudreau
Aug. 13, 1993 – Aug. 29, 2024 pic.twitter.com/QGPsV4v7mv— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 30, 2024
Matthew Gaudreau, 29, additionally performed professional hockey, maximum just lately 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 stated in a observation. “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 through his spouse, Meredith, and two youngsters below the hour of two: a daughter, Noa, and a son, Johnny. He’s additionally survived through his oldsters, Man and Jane, and two sisters, Katie and Kristen Gaudreau.
Consistent with social media posts, Katie Gaudreau’s wedding ceremony was once scheduled for Friday.
“The Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the crew stated in a observation. “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 one pace in 3 years that an surprising dying has struck the Blue Jackets franchise. On July 4, 2021, goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died as the results of a fireworks hit in Novi, Mich.
This tale might be up to date.
(Photograph: Ben Jackson / NHLI by way of Getty Photographs)
