OLDSMAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were struck and killed by a car while riding bikes in Salem County, New Jersey Thursday night.
Around 8:30 p.m., police said two cyclists were hit by a driver on Pennsville Auburn Road and Stumpy Lane in Oldmans Township. There are fields in that area and very little light.
Police said the person behind the wheel stayed on the scene.
The Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed Johnny Gaudreau’s death in a statement Friday morning:
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, 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 loss of Johnny and Matthew.
“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.
“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.”
Johnny Gaudreau was 31 years old and a native of Salem County. He was presumably in town for his sister’s wedding, which was scheduled to take place on Friday. Both brothers were groomsmen.
Johnny Gaudreau was a standout in the NHL for 11 years. Both brothers attended and played hockey at Gloucester Catholic High School — where Matthew Gaudreau later became the head coach.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman added in a statement:
“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. 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.
“He will be remembered fondly in Calgary, where he played his first nine seasons with the Flames from 2013-14 to 2021-22, emerging as one of our League’s brightest young stars while compiling the franchise’s fifth-highest career points total. His loss also will be felt profoundly in Columbus, the city in which he chose to settle his family and where he was one of the respected, veteran leaders of a club building toward the playoffs. And both Johnny and Matthew will be mourned at Boston College, where they were teammates the year Johnny won the Hobey Baker Award in 2013-14, and at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, where both played and where Matthew was the head hockey coach following his own five-year pro playing career.”
Police are still investigating and have not released any details on the circumstances of the crash or if the driver will face any charges.