Reactions to death of Columbus Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Reactions poured in from across the continent regarding the death of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were both killed by a suspected drunk driver in New Jersey Thursday night.

The brothers, who were to be groomsmen in their sister’s wedding Friday in Philadelphia, were riding their bikes in Oldmans Township Thursday night when a suspected drunk driver weaved in and out of County Road 551 lanes to pass slower traffic.

The driver, 43-year-old Sean Higgins, of Woodstown, New Jersey, struck the Gaudreau brothers on the right side of the road. They were both pronounced dead at the scene.

The Blue Jackets released a statement at 7:30 a.m. and reaction near and far were quick to follow.

Columbus Blue Jackets

“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 [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.

At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy he respected as they grieve.”

Gov. Mike DeWine

“Fran & I offer our deepest condolences to the family of @BlueJacketsNHL's Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Our thoughts are also with the entire Blue Jackets organization as they mourn the loss of one of their own."

Columbus Crew

“Our hearts are with the Gaudreau family, the Columbus Blue Jackets and everyone in the Columbus community who is suffering following the sudden passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

Johnny consistently displayed his passion for hockey, our city and the fans, and we mourn this tragic loss alongside his loved ones and our Blue Jackets brethren.”

Calgary Flames

“It’s with great sadness, we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. 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.

It was our privilege to call Johnny our teammate for nine amazing years in Calgary. He came to Calgary as a young man and grew up here, not only as a superstar on the ice, but also a beloved member of our community.

The pain we feel for Johnny’s wife Meridith, children Noa & Johnny, parents Jane & Guy, sisters Kristen & Katie, and the entire Gaudreau family is immense. Ownership, management, players, and staff of the Flames express our heartfelt sympathies during their time of sorrow.

You are in our thoughts and prayers.”

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman

“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he 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.

"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.

“We send our most heart-felt condolences to his wife Meredith; their children, Noa and Johnny; his parents, Guy and Jane; and sisters Kristen and Katie. And we grieve alongside his teammates, members of the Blue Jackets and Flames organizations, his many friends in hockey and countless fans around the world for whom he created indelible memories on and off the ice.”