Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau has died at the age of 31 following a bike accident near his hometown.
Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were struck and killed while biking in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on the evening of Thursday, August 29, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Both men were scheduled to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding in Philadelphia on Friday.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the franchise posted via X on Friday morning. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving 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 death of Johnny and Matthew.”
NHL Tragedies: The Deaths That Have Rocked the Hockey World in 2023 and 2024
Johnny and Meredith wed in 2021. Their daughter, Noa, turns 2 in October and son Johnny was born in February.
“Johnny played the game with great joy, which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice,” the Blue Jackets’ statement continued. “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.”
Johnny played three seasons at Boston College — including his final junior season with brother Matthew — where he won the Hobey Baker Award for the country’s top collegiate player in 2014. He then spent the first nine seasons of his professional career with the Calgary Flames before signing as an unrestricted free agent with the Blue Jackets in 2022.
“He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could,” the Blue Jackets’ statement concluded. “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.”
Celebrity Deaths of 2024: Stars We Lost This Year
After four seasons of his own at Boston College, Matthew spent seven years playing minor league hockey. He married wife Madeline Gaudreau in July 2021 and was the acting head hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey where both brothers also played.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued a statement on the passing of the Gaudreau brothers, noting Johnny’s “infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice.”
“Gaudreau often told the story of how his father taught him to skate as a child in his home state of New Jersey and he carried that same youthful passion throughout his 11 NHL seasons,” Bettman continued. “A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau participated in the NHL All-Star Game seven times where he was always a fan favorite, particularly while showcasing his talents in the various skills competitions for which he was so well suited.”
