Who was Johnny Gaudreau? All you need to know about Columbus Blue Jackets NHL star after tragic bike death at 31

The hockey world has been left devastated by the loss of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew after the pair were tragically killed in a bicycle accident on Thursday night.

On the eve of their sister Katie's wedding, Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were believed to have been cycling close to their hometown in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, when the fatal crash occurred at 8:19pm.

The two brothers were struck and killed by another vehicle on Pennsville Auburn Road near Stumpy Lane, according to details from local news station 6 ABC, with the driver facing two counts of vehicular homicide with no bail or bond after he was suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

Tributes are flooding in for Johnny and Matthew - who were set to be groomsmen at their sister's wedding - after the heartbreaking news of their passing.

And following his death, DailyMail.com is on hand with everything you need to know about hockey hero Johnny Gaudreau.

Who was Johnny Gaudreau?

Gaudreau was an NHL veteran who played 11 professional seasons in the league and was about to enter his third with the Columbus Blue Jackets this year.

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

At 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, the forward was part of a generation of hockey players who thrived in an era of speed and skill that made being undersized less of a disadvantage. He scored 20-plus goals six times and was a 115-point player in 2021-22 as a first-time NHL All-Star when he had a career-best 40 goals and 75 assists.

Gaudreau helped Boston College win the NCAA championship in 2012 and in 2014 took home the Hobey Baker Award as the top college player in the country before becoming a fourth-round pick of Calgary’s in 2011.

As a professional, he was part of the NHL all-rookie team during his first season in the league and was third in voting for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2014-15.

Gaudreau was a point-a-game player with 642 points in 644 regular-season and playoff games since breaking into the league. He most recently signed a seven-year contract in 2022 worth nearly $69 million that put him and his young family in central Ohio, closer to his family in New Jersey.

He holds the men’s world championship records by a U.S. player with 30 assists and 43 points, earlier this year breaking marks previously held by Patrick Kane.

Matthew, meanwhile, was a professional hockey player in the ECHL, most recently playing for the Worcester Railers in the 2021-22 season. He also spent a season with the Reading Royals. 

Who is his family?

Gaudreau tragically leaves behind wife Meredith, whom he married in September 2021, and two young children in daughter Noa, one, and baby boy Johnny, who was born just six months ago. 

It is believed Meredith was due to be a maid of honor at her sister-in-law's wedding this weekend.

Johnny and Meredith tied the knot just over a year after he proposed, though it is unclear when or how the couple first met.

They welcomed their first child, daughter Noa, in October 2022 before Johnny was born in February of this year.

Younger brother Matthew, meanwhile, leaves behind wife Madeline just over three years on from their wedding in New Jersey. 

The brothers' parents are Guy and Jane Gaudreau. Guy was inducted into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame after his high-school hockey career at North Country Union High School and spent 11 years as a coach at Gloucester Catholic.

Sister Katie, a dance teacher, was set to marry partner Devin Joyce in New Jersey this weekend. 

Tributes from the sporting world

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 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.

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

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. 

We send our most heart-felt condolences to his wife Meredith; their children, Noa and Johnny; his parents, Guy and Jane; and sistters 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.

LeBron James

My thoughts and prayers goes out to the Gaudreau family. May Johnny and Matthew fly high, guide/guard and bless their family/s from the heavens above. 

Former Boston College coach Jerry York 

Just devastating news for all of us connected with the Gaudreau family. Both Matty and Johnny were terrifically admired by all of us. Wonderful young guys, and they impressed a lot of us off ice.

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.

Former Calgary Flames goaltender Eddie Lack

I don't know why I'm even writing right now I'm shaking but Johnny was one of my favorite teammates I've ever played with. 

Always happy, always spreading positivity around him. Rest in Peace my friend and prayers for your wonderful family. Hug your loved ones.