Columbus Blue Jackets ahead Johnny Gaudreau was killed Thursday night time in what the workforce is looking an “unimaginable tragedy.”
He was 31.
His brother Matthew, a retired skilled hockey participant, was additionally killed within the accident. He was 29.
CBS Information Philadelphia studies the 2 brothers had been driving their bicycles in Salem County, N.J., Thursday night time after they had been struck by a person driving a jeep. Native police additionally confirmed the crash.
“Police stated the driving force, 43-year-old Sean Higgins of Woodstown, N.J., tried to move a slower automobile when he hit the Gaudreau brothers,” CBS Philadelphia stated. “Higgins was detained below suspicion he was drunk and charged with two counts of dying by auto.”
The Blue Jackets launched a press release Friday morning saying the workforce is “shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy.”
“Johnny was not solely an important hockey participant, however extra considerably a loving husband, father, son, brother and good friend,” the workforce stated. “Johnny performed the sport with nice joke which was felt by everybody that noticed him on the ice.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman launched a press release on the brothers’ passing, saying Johnny was “greater than only a dazzling hockey participant.”Commissioner Bettman Assertion on the Passing of Johnny Gaudreau. https://t.co/JJHCkBDIzF pic.twitter.com/fhbjomNOPw
“He was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to each particular person lucky sufficient to have crossed his path,” Bettman stated.
A fourth-round decide within the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Gaudreau performed 11 NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames. In 763 regular-season video games, the winger scored 241 targets and 498 assists for 739 factors. Upon getting into the league full time in 2014, Gaudreau instantly turned top-of-the-line scoring forwards within the sport, recurrently producing at practically a point-per-game tempo.
In 2017, he received the Girl Byng Trophy, awarded to the participant who “reveals the perfect sort of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct mixed with a excessive customary of enjoying skill.”
Gaudreau completed with a career-high 115 factors with the Flames in 2021-22, tied for second within the NHL.
After 9 seasons in Calgary, he signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Blue Jackets forward of the 2022-23 marketing campaign. Final season, Gaudreau completed with 12 targets and 48 assists for 60 factors.
“Johnny performed the sport with nice pleasure which was felt by everybody that noticed him on the ice. He introduced a real love for hockey with him in all places he performed,” the Blue Jackets stated.
This can be a growing story. Extra to come back…
