When the Columbus Blue Jackets began posting Friday morning with Johnny Gaudreau’s No., 13 outlined in black mourning, the terrible news from Thursday night was confirmed.
‘Johnny Hockey’, one of the National Hockey League’s brightest and most popular stars, a husband and father, along with brother Matthew, was confirmed dead in a Thursday night collision of a car that reportedly tried to pass two other vehicles and struck the two cyclists near their hometown of Salem, N.J. Local police said a man was arrested on the scene suspected of driving under the influence.
“An unimaginable tragedy,” the Jackets posted on ‘X’. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly, a loving husband, father (of two children), son, brother and friend. Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone who saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played.”
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, had also attended Boston College and played up to the 2021-22 season in the AHL and ECHL. The brothers were together for their sister Katie’s wedding in Philadelphia on Friday.
As the news broke first in Eastern Canada, Toronto was among the Canadian teams expressing sympathy Friday morning. Brad Treliving, the Leafs general manager, knew Gaudreau well from his nine seasons as GM of the Calgary Flames where Gaudreau played 2013-22. Undeterred by his 5-foot-9 frame, Gaudreau was third on the 2014 Calder Trophy ballot and part of that year’s NHL all-rookie team. His winning the 2017 Lady Byng Trophy for skilled play, combined with exemplary on-ice conduct, spoke volumes of his respect around the NHL.
“The Leafs join the entire hockey community in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of Johnny and Matthew,” the team statement read. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the Gaudreau family, their friends, the Blue Jackets and Flames.”
Leaf forward Max Domi posted the news was “devastating” and though he and Gaudreau just missed each other departing and arriving in Columbus, he described Gaudreau as “always. smiling, always happy. Incredible guy. Everyone loved Johnny. Rest in peace brother.”
In part of his statement, commissioner Gary Bettman relayed the story of Gaudreau’s father, Guy, teaching him to skate in New Jersey, instilling him with the passion to play 11 NHL seasons.
“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.
“A skilled playmaker, he participated in the All-Star Game seven times where he was always a fan favourite, particularly while showcasing his talents in the various skills competitions for which he was so well suited.
“He will be remembered fondly in Calgary, 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.”
Players Association executive director Marty Walsh’s statement read in part: “The players and staff of the NHLPA are devastated by these terrible losses. We express our sincerest condolences to the entire Gaudreau family.”
The brothers both played at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey (Matthew coached there when his playing days ended) and at Boston College, the year Johnny won the Hobey Baker Award in 2013-14 Johnny had played in the most recent world hockey championships for Team USA, breaking Patrick Kane’s American points’ record in the tournament with 43. Team USA issued a statement that included “words cannot appropriately express the sorrow the hockey community is feeling today.”
It was Jarmo Kekalainen who lured Johnny to Columbus from the Flames in a seven-year, $68 million US deal that the former Jackets’ GM had trumpeted was a landmark move to make the small market team a desired NHL destination.
“R.I.P. Johnny and Matthew,” he posted Friday, “fine young men with a beautiful family that seemed so close … gone way too soon.”
In July 2021, the Jackets also lost goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks in an accidental death when struck in the chest by a firework. Columbus’s first home game this season is Oct. 15 against Florida.