The evening before their youngest sister’s wedding, the Gaudreau brothers and soon-to-be groomsmen from a close-knit hockey family cycled down a county road near their southern New Jersey hometown.
Instead of preparing for a celebration, their family now faces the sorrow of planning two funerals as the sports world mourns.
On Thursday evening, Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, rode their bikes near the fog line along County Route 551 in Oldsmans Township.
Both were talented hockey players with bright futures. Johnny, known as “Johnny Hockey,” was drafted by the NHL’s Calgary Flames in 2011 after a stellar season at Boston College. Their family was set to welcome a new member as their sister, Katie Gaudreau, prepared to marry in Gloucester City, New Jersey.
Matthew Gaudreau’s wife, Madeline, is expecting their first child, as indicated by an online baby registry. A photo from a verified GoFundMe campaign showed Matthew proudly holding an ultrasound strip of their unborn son, Tripp, expected in December.
The Gaudreau family was preparing for the wedding when a Jeep driver, later found to have alcohol on his breath, drove northbound on the same road as the cycling brothers. Sean Higgins, 43, admitted to police he had consumed several beers that night.
Higgins attempted to pass a slower sedan and SUV by entering the southbound lane. The SUV driver, seeing the cyclists, moved to the middle lanes to pass them safely, according to court documents.
Higgins then tried to pass the SUV on the right, hitting Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Both brothers died that night on County Route 551.
Johnny, an NHL star, husband, and father of two, perished with his brother. “The fact that they were together is horrific but ironic because they were such a close family,” Boston College men’s hockey coach Greg Brown said in a news conference.
Higgins appeared in court on Friday and is held without bond at the Salem County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing on September 5. He faces up to 10 years in New Jersey state prison.
Condolences poured in over the weekend at sporting events and memorials across the country. Johnny Gaudreau, a seven-time NHL All-Star, was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2011 and later joined the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2022-2023 season. He scored 243 career goals and earned 743 points.
Despite the sweltering 98-degree heat in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, fans gathered outside Nationwide Arena to honour him. They lit candles and placed flowers, teddy bears, hockey sticks, and signed cards in tribute.
Matthew, who played professional hockey for five years, coached ice hockey at their former high school until this summer. The brothers’ deaths highlighted their impact on the sport, as leagues and teams worldwide paid respects.
Moments of silence were observed at various sporting events over the weekend, including Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia before the Phillies played the Atlanta Braves. Similar tributes came from Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, Ohio State’s football team, and several baseball teams.
The Gaudreau brothers were known for their energy and joy, both on and off the ice. Johnny Gaudreau’s team and the NHL remembered him as a showstopping athlete with an “infectious spirit,” as stated by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the Blue Jackets.
Hockey reporter Dave Maetzold described Johnny as a “modest superstar” focused on his family, including his wife Meredith and their two young children. “His dad was always at games, right alongside the ice, just as he was when Johnny was young,” Maetzold said.
Meredith Gaudreau shared touching Instagram posts on Saturday, showing their family life. She thanked Johnny for “the best years of my life,” highlighting his role as a caring father and partner.
Boston College’s former head coach, Jerry York, recalled the strong bond between the brothers and credited Matthew with pushing Johnny towards NHL success. The Gaudreau brothers’ wives remembered them as best friends and biggest fans.
Meredith Gaudreau expressed comfort knowing the brothers are together in heaven, while Madeline Gaudreau shared similar sentiments on Instagram.
An Instagram story from Meredith featured Johnny speaking about how he hoped to be remembered: “I hope people remember me as a good person off the ice, a good teammate, and just a good person.”
What Other Media Are Saying
- CNN reports that Johnny Gaudreau, a renowned NHL player, and his brother Matthew were tragically killed by a suspected drunken driver, leaving their family and the sports world in shock. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to the Gaudreau brothers?
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were struck and killed by a Jeep while cycling.
Who was driving the vehicle that hit the Gaudreau brothers?
Sean Higgins, a 43-year-old who had consumed five or six beers.
What were Johnny Gaudreau’s hockey achievements?
Johnny Gaudreau was a seven-time NHL All-Star with 243 career goals and 743 points.
How did fans and the sports world react to the Gaudreau brothers’ deaths?
Fans held memorials and moments of silence at sporting events across the country.
How did Johnny Gaudreau’s wife remember him?
Meredith Gaudreau called him the best dad and partner, sharing happy family moments on Instagram.
