Commercial presentation Updated: 30/08/2024 21:48 Issued: 30/08/2024, 14:10
American hockey forward Johnny Gaudreau in a Columbus jersey (pictured on April 11, 2023). AP/Chris Szagola
Salem (USA) – At the age of 31, one of the best NHL hockey players of recent years, Johnny Gaudreau, who defended the colors of Columbus in the past two seasons, tragically died. His brother Matthew also died in a car accident with him. The Blue Jackets announced this at the clubhouse website.
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According to available information, the accident happened Thursday evening while the two were riding their bikes near their family’s home in Salem, New Jersey, where Gaudreau was also born. While driving, they were hit by a drunk driver in a car, and since then, speculations about the attacker’s death began to spread. Today, they were also supposed to walk sister Katie down the aisle at her wedding.
The culprit, identified by police as 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, according to 6abs.com. He will remain in custody pending a hearing scheduled for September 5.
Higgins was driving in his SUV (Jeep Grand Cherokee) in the same direction as the Gaudreau brothers, according to the affidavit. He hit them after first passing another car traveling more slowly from the left, but then trying to go around another SUV from the right just as this car swerved into the middle of the road in an attempt to safely avoid the two cyclists.
An impact followed, in which Gaudreau and his brother suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They died at the scene of the accident. According to the police, the culprit smelled strongly of alcohol. Higgins admitted to drinking five to six beers before driving. He failed an immediate field sobriety test. He told investigators that alcohol consumption contributed to his impatience and reckless driving.
“The club is shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy, the sudden loss of Johnny and Matt. Johnny was not only a great hockey player but more importantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We are praying for their family and will do everything we can to help them overcome this tragedy,” Columbus said.
Gaudreau, who raised daughter Noa and son Johnny with his wife Meredith, shined on the ice especially thanks to his extremely skillful hands. Spectators had the opportunity to admire the art of the player nicknamed “Johnny Hockey” even during the World Championships in Prague and Ostrava in May. The quarter-final defeat 0:1 against the later world champions Czech Republic will forever remain his last competitive game due to a combination of tragic circumstances.
“Johnny played hockey with great joy and passion, which was felt by everyone who saw him on the ice. Everywhere he played, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets, he brought a true love of hockey. He excited the fans as only ‘Johnny Hockey’ could. He will be sorely missed,” the Blue Jackets said.
Gaudreau has long been one of the leaders and main faces of Calgary, which selected him in the 2011 draft as high as 104th. The small but technically brilliant striker, who became world champion with the American 20, shined the most in the 2021/22 season, when he collected 115 points for 40 goals and 75 assists in 82 games of the regular season. Only Connor McDavid, currently probably the best player in the world, was better then.
However, Gaudreau’s contract expired just after this year and he did not agree on a continuation with the Flames management. He therefore tried the free agent market and signed a lucrative seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Blue Jackets.
He played a total of 763 games in the long-term NHL stage and scored 743 points for 243 goals and 500 assists. He added 33 points (11+22) in 42 playoff games. He appeared at the World Cup a total of five times and scored 43 points (13+30) in 40 starts. In his last tournament in May, he scored three goals and added eight assists in eight duels.
Twenty-nine-year-old Matthew Gaudreau, who has 21 AHL games to his credit, also played hockey as a forward. However, he was unable to make it to the NHL elite.
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