NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, And Brother, 29, Killed: Police

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau , 31, and his brother, Matthew , 29, were killed Thursday (August 29) after being struck from behind by a suspected drunk driver while riding as "pedalcyclists," New Jersey State Police said in a release obtained by ESPN Friday (August 30) morning.

A Jeep Grand Cherokee struck the brothers while attempting to pass another SUV on the right that had moved over in an attempt to make room for the pedalcyclists in Oldmans Township, according to police. The brothers were reported to have suffered fatal injuries when authorities arrived at the scene.

The driver was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of crash and charged with two counts of death by auto amid an ongoing investigation. The winger was set to enter his 12th NHL season, having previously played for the Calgary Flames before signing with Columbus as part of a seven-year contract prior to the 2022-23 season.

Gaudreau, who played for Team USA at five world championships, was an All-Star for a sixth time last season.

The Blue Jackets referred to the Gaudreaus' deaths as an "unimaginable tragedy" in a statement shared on their social media accounts.

"Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice," the team wrote. "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."

The brothers' deaths occurred one day before they were set to be groomsmen in their sister Katie 's wedding to hockey player Devin Joyce .