Teams across the US hold moments of silence as sports community mourns NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother | CNN (2025)

Teams across the US hold moments of silence as sports community mourns NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother | CNN (1)

Players and fans stand for a moment of silence for NHL player Johnny Gaudreau who passed away the night before the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 30, 2024.

CNN

Beloved NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were honored around the sports world on Friday following their tragic death in New Jersey late Thursday night.

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were fatally struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bikes on a New Jersey roadway, officials said, just hours before they were to serve as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding in Philadelphia.

“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers in law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans,” their uncle Jim Gaudreau said Friday morningin a family statement on Facebook.

Gaudreau’s team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, called the deaths an “unimaginable tragedy” in asocial media postFriday.

In Major League Baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies held an emotional moment of silence prior to their game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. The team showed a photo of the brothers during their time at Boston College on the video board, while the announcer read a statement before calling for the moment of silence.

WINNIPEG, CANADA - JANUARY 09: Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks on during the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on January 09, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images Related article NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother killed in New Jersey crash on the eve of their sister’s wedding

Phillies players stood along the first base foul line in the emotional tribute.

Meanwhile, the New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Angels and the Cincinnati Reds each held a moment of silence before their games on Friday as well.

“We are heartbroken for our friends at the Blue Jackets with the tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” the Cincinnati Reds said in a statement. “We send our deepest condolences to the Gaudreau family, their friends, the NHL and the entire Columbus Blue Jackets organization.”

Throughout the day on Friday, fans paid tribute to the late Blue Jackets star and his brother with a makeshift memorial, leaving flowers, hockey sticks and other memorabilia outside of the team’s Nationwide Arena in Ohio.

Tributes for the brothers will continue into Saturday as Ohio State’s football team have announced that the team will hold a moment of silence before kickoff of their season opening game against the Akron.

Members of Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew Nordecke supporter section are planning to honor the Blue Jackets forward with a moment of silence during the 13th minute, representing Gaudreau’s jersey number, of their match against the New York City Football Club at Lower.com Field on Saturday.

Teams across the US hold moments of silence as sports community mourns NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother | CNN (3)

Shiloh Rivera, facing, mourns with Hylas Stemen of Columbus, at the makeshift memorial set up by fans for Blue Jackets hockey player Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.

Suspected drunk driver faces charges

The brothers were riding bicycles around 8:19 p.m. Thursday on a county road in Oldmans Township – a community in southern New Jersey near the Delaware River – when a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was attempting to pass two slower-moving vehicles hit them, according to New Jersey State Police.

The Jeep driver, who police identified as 43-year-old Sean Higgins, is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide in the second degree, according to the complaint.

“Through further investigation, Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol,” State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said in a news release.

Higgins stated he had consumed roughly five to six beers before the accident, according to a probable cause affidavit filed with the Salem County Superior Court Friday.

“Mr. Higgins explicitly stated to the effect that his consumption of alcoholic beverages contributed to his impatience and reckless driving, which resulted in the motor vehicle accident,” the affidavit states.

Higgins made his first appearance in court Friday afternoon but did not enter a plea, according to Salem County court criminal division manager Crystal Harris. He is being held without bond at the Salem County Correctional Facility pending a detention motion hearing on September 5, Harris said.

During Higgins’ court appearance, JudgeMichael J.Silvanio said the charges against him are punishable by a maximum of 10 years in New Jersey state prison. Higgins is being represented by a public defense attorney, but he said at the hearing he will hire his own lawyer in the future to represent him.

Teams across the US hold moments of silence as sports community mourns NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother | CNN (4)

Columbus Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau awaits the face-off during an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, March 9, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio.

‘Johnny Hockey’ was known for enthusiasm on the ice and kindness off it

The deaths of “Johnny Hockey,” known for his enthusiasm on the ice and kindness off it, and his brother Matthew left the sports world mourning.

Johnny Gaudreau was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Draft out of Boston College. He signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets ahead of the 2022-2023 season and tallied 12 goals and 48 assists last season. In 11 seasons in the league, Gaudreau had 243 career goals and 743 points while making seven All-Star game appearances.

Following news of his death, hockey fansacross the US set up memorials in his honor. A makeshift memorial was set up by fans in Columbus, Ohio, Friday. In Canada, fans leftflowersontheScotiabankSaddledomestepstorememberJohnny Gaudreau, who played fortheCalgary Flames there.

“Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend,” the Blue Jackets said in the statement. “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,” the statement said.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in astatement: “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 crossed his path.”

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Longtime NHL executive Brian Burke noted in astatement on Xthat Gaudreau brought ”kindness that radiated out through the locker room every day” and there were “few players in hockey history who matched his passion and love for the game.”

“Johnny was always the first to raise his hand to give back to his community,” Burke said.

Canadian Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau also paid tribute to the NHL star.

“Johnny Gaudreau may have come up from the States, but hockey fans in Calgary, and across Canada, will remember him as one of our own,” Trudeau said in a post on X.

Matthew Gaudreau returned to the brothers’ alma mater in New Jersey,Gloucester Catholic High School, in 2022to serve as ice hockey coach, a position he helduntil this summer.

“Johnny and Matt were incredible hockey players and students, but even more amazing human beings,” principal Thomas Iacovene Jr. said in a statement released by the school Friday.

The Boston College men’s hockey team head coach Greg Brown and former head coach Jerry York at a news conference Friday spoke about the impact the brothers had on and off the rink.

York recalled the bond between the two brothers being particularly strong and credited Matthew for pushing Johnny to becoming an NHL star.

“They brought a ton of joy to the rink. They were happy to be there, truly happy to be there, big smiles all the time,” Brown said of his time coaching the brothers.

CNN’s Thomas Schlachter,Andy Rose, Jacob Lev, David Close, Emma Tucker, Roxanne Garcia and Sarah Dewberry contributed to this report.

Teams across the US hold moments of silence as sports community mourns NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother | CNN (2025)

FAQs

Who is Johnny Gaudreau's brother? ›

More tributes are pouring in from around the hockey community after the deaths of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, who were killed last week by a suspected drunken driver while riding their bikes in their home state of New Jersey.

Has Johnny Gaudreau passed away? ›

The entire hockey world is still shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew. Johnny and Matthew were struck by a car and killed while riding bicycles near their home in Salem County, New Jersey, on Thursday night.

Who are Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau? ›

Johnny Gaudreau was 31 and played three years at BC, from 2011 to 2014. Matthew was 29. He played for the Eagles from 2013 to 2017. They played together for just one season, 2013-14, in Chestnut Hill.

Who are Johnny's siblings? ›

Here's everything to know about Johnny Depp's siblings — Daniel, Debbie and Christi — and their relationship with their actor brother.

What happened to Johnny's brother Jack? ›

J.R.'s older brother, Jack, with whom he is close, is seriously injured in a table saw accident while working to raise money for the family. Jack passes away a week later.

Why did Gaudreau leave? ›

He said his decision to leave the team was because he wanted to be closer to his family. His father had a heart attack in 2018, which made him think about how little he'd seen his family since he joined the NHL. He then met his wife, Meredith.

Who did Johnny Gaudreau get traded to? ›

Gaudreau played for Columbus the past two seasons after signing as a unrestricted free agent on July 13, 2022. The forward played the first nine seasons of his NHL career with Calgary.

How much did Johnny Gaudreau weigh when he was drafted? ›

Gaudreau was listed at 5-6, 137 pounds at the NHL scouting combine in 2011, his draft year, but that measurement might not have been exact.

Is Johnny Gaudreau good at hockey? ›

In 11 seasons in the league, Gaudreau had 243 career goals and 743 points while making seven All-Star game appearances. Following news of his death, hockey fans across the US set up memorials in his honor.

Why do they call Johnny Gaudreau Johnny Hockey? ›

Family members always called him John, with the “Johnny Hockey” nickname coming from his days at BC. They trademarked it only so they would have some say over how it was used. “We'll never, ever make a penny with it,” Guy Gaudreau told the Courier-Post in South Jersey in 2015.

Did Johnny Gaudreau have a baby? ›

Johnny and Meredith welcomed their first baby — a daughter named Noa Harper — in September 2022. They became two-time parents earlier this year, when Meredith gave birth to son Johnny Edward in February.

Who is Uncle Johnny related to? ›

Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, explained the family's connection to Uncle Johnny in a July 2022 post. She clarified that while Beyoncé calls him "uncle," he was actually her nephew. “Johnny was my (sister's) son but more like a brother to me so my kids called him Uncle Johnny,” Knowles wrote.

Who is Johnny Paycheck's brother? ›

He is survived by his wife; a son, Jonathan; two daughters; and a brother, Jeff Lytle. Born Donald Eugene Lytle in Greenfield, Ohio, the son of a barge worker, Mr.

Who is Johnny Winters brother? ›

He and his younger brother Edgar Winter (born 1946) were nurtured at an early age by their parents in musical pursuits. Both were born with albinism.

Who is Johnny's son in Karate Kid? ›

Robby Keene

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