Tributes pour in from across the hockey world after shocking deaths of Gaudreau brothers

Tributes for NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother streamed in Friday as the star forward’s death left the hockey community reeling. 

Johnny, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were killed Thursday night when they were hit by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey, police said Friday.

Johnny leaves behind two young children and his wife Meredith.

The NHL released a statement from commissioner Gary Bettman, who said Gaudreau “was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path.”

WATCH | NHL mourns star forward’s death: 

NHL reeling after forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother killed while cycling in New Jersey

6 hours ago

Duration 3:27

NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, a 31-year-old forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his younger brother Matthew were killed Thursday night when they were hit by a car while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey.

 “Johnny Hockey,” as he was known, has played 11 professional seasons in the league and was going into his third with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets mourned his loss in a statement on X.

He played his first nine seasons with the Calgary Flames, a tenure that included becoming one of the sport’s top players and a fan favourite across North America. 

“It’s with great sadness, we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau,” the Flames said in a post on social media platform X. “Our hearts are broken by this devastating loss. Johnny was and always will be a member of the Flames family and loved by all of Calgary.”

“Completely gutted. The world just lost one of the best,” Flames forward Blake Coleman posted on the social media site X. “RIP Johnny.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a post on X, “Johnny Gaudreau may have come up from the States, but hockey fans in Calgary, and across Canada, will remember him as one of our own.”

“Thinking of his teammates, friends, and the Gaudreau family today.”

Several other NHL teams also joined in the outpouring of grief. 

“The Toronto Maple Leafs join the entire hockey community in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew.”

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the Gaudreau family, their friends, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames organizations, and all those who knew and loved Johnny and Matthew during this unimaginably difficult time.”

Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving put out a statement saying,”I am absolutely devastated by the news of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew’s passing. John was a truly special player, dazzling on the ice with his incredible talent, but what made him truly special was the person he was off the ice.”

“Trying to find the right words today is not easy,” Flames defenceman Rasmus Andersson said in a post on X.

“You were a hell of a hockey player but it’s the person Johnny that always is going to be with me, one of my closest friends, it didn’t matter if we hadn’t spoken in a day or a week we always knew where we had each other!”

Marty Walsh, executive director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association, called Johnny “a joy to watch during his 10 years and 763 games in the NHL.”

Walsh noted Johnny’s hockey career at Boston College where he and Matthew both played. He said Matthew went on to play professional hockey in the AHL and ECHL.

“The players and staff of the NHLPA are devastated by these​ terrible losses. We express our sincerest condolences to the entire Gaudreau family — Johnny’s wife, Meredith, and their children, Noa and Johnny; Matthew’s wife, Madeline; their parents, Guy and Jane; and their sisters, Kristen and Katie.” 

A memorial was set up outside the Nationwide Arena in Columbus as fans left bouquets and pictures.

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