NHL commissioner Gary Bettman ‘shocked and saddened’ by Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic death

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman recalled the “infectious spirit” of Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau following the tragic news of the 31-year-old Columbus star’s passing.

In a statement released Friday morning, Bettman paid tribute to the NHL All-Star, who, along with 29-year-old brother Matthew, was killed after being struck by a suspected drunk driver while bike riding Thursday evening in Salem County, N.J.

“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,” Bettman said .

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“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.”

Gaudreau was selected 104th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2011 NHL Draft out of Boston College.

He made his NHL debut during the 2013-14 season and spent nine seasons in Calgary before signing a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with Columbus in 2022.

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“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,” the statement continued.

Bettman concluded his statement by offering sympathies to Gaudreau’s family, including wife Meredith, whom he married in September 2021, and their two children.

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“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,” the statement read.

Gaudreau and Matthew were to be groomsmen in sister Katie’s Gloucester City, N.J., nuptials scheduled for Friday.

The siblings died from the injuries they sustained after being struck by Sean Higgins, the suspected drunk driver who was behind the wheel of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, NBC 10 Philadelphia reported Friday, citing investigators.

Higgins of Woodstown, N.J., was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto, per the report.

The Blue Jackets confirmed the death of Gaudreau and his brother early Friday morning.

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