World Courant
Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother have been killed Thursday night time once they have been using their bicycles and have been struck by a driver suspected of being inebriated, police in New Jersey stated.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the NHL group stated in a press release. “Johnny was not solely a fantastic hockey participant, however most significantly, a loving husband, father, son, brother and good friend. We lengthen our honest condolences to his spouse, Meredith, his kids, Noa and Johnny, his dad and mom, their households and pals on the sudden lack of Johnny and Matthew.”
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, have been using bicycles in Salem County, “near the fog line of the highway,” once they have been struck from behind by a driver trying to move one other automotive, New Jersey State Police stated.
Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates with the puck throughout the second interval in opposition to the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Area on March 30, 2024 in Columbus.
Jason Mowry/Getty Photographs, FILE
The motive force, 43-year-old Sean Higgins, tried to move a slower-moving sedan and SUV in entrance of him within the northbound lanes, so he moved into the southbound lanes and handed the sedan, police stated. Higgins tried to reenter the northbound lane “when the SUV in entrance of Higgins pulled into the middle of the highway, inflicting the northbound and southbound lanes to separate to securely move the bicyclists,” police stated.
Higgins then tried to move the SUV on the best and struck the brothers, police stated.
Higgins, who was suspected of being inebriated, is charged with two counts of manslaughter, in line with police.
“Johnny performed the sport with a ardour that was evident to everybody who noticed him on the ice,” the Blue Jackets stated. “He introduced a real love of hockey to the sport wherever he performed, from Boston School to the Calgary Flames to Workforce USA to the Blue Jackets. He made followers blissful in a manner that solely Johnny Hockey may. The impression he had on our group and our sport was immense, however it pales compared to the indelible impression he made on everybody who knew him.”
Gaudreau, a winger, received the Hobey Baker Award in 2014 because the league’s high participant. He was additionally a finalist for the Calder Trophy, given to the league’s high rookie, in 2013-14 and was named to the All-Star Recreation in 2015. He performed 9 seasons with the Calgary Flames earlier than becoming a member of the Blue Jackets for the 2022-23 season. He had 12 targets and 48 assists final season.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated in a press release: “Whereas Johnny’s infectious taking part in inspiration and spectacular expertise on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was greater than only a nice hockey participant; he was a faithful father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to all who have been lucky sufficient to cross his path.”
