College Hockey

Boston College Alum Johnny Gaudreau And Brother Matthew Killed In Tragic Accident

Published

3 months ago

August 30, 2024

AP Photo/Aaron Doster

Johnny Gaudreau, the dynamic hockey player whose swift skating and soft hands made him a must-see attraction, passed away on Thursday night, along with his brother Matthew, at the age of 31.

According to multiple reports, the brothers were killed when they were struck by a drunk driver while on a bike ride in Oldmans Township, New Jersey.

The Columbus Blue Jackets released the following statement on Friday morning:

Columbus Blue Jackets statement on the passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew. pic.twitter.com/V2aFykgKIs

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 30, 2024

Statement from the National Hockey League and Commissioner Gary Bettman:

Commissioner Bettman Statement on the Passing of Johnny Gaudreau. https://t.co/JJHCkBDIzF pic.twitter.com/fhbjomNOPw

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) August 30, 2024

Known affectionately as Johnny Hockey, Gaudreau played three seasons for the Boston College men’s ice hockey team from 2011 to 2014, totaling 175 points with 78 goals for the Eagles.

He was a part of B.C.’s fifth-ever National Championship team in 2012 and was the winner of the 2014 Hobey Baker Award as the best college hockey player in the nation after leading the NCAA in scoring that season with 80 points and 36 goals.

In Loving Memory pic.twitter.com/Ru6NQUPp0w

— BC Men's Hockey (@BC_MHockey) August 30, 2024

Gaudreau scored 743 points and 243 goals during his 11-year career in the NHL. He was selected with the 101st overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames and played nine seasons for the team before signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent in the summer of 2022.

On the international stage, Gaudreau regularly represented the United States and did so earlier this summer at the IIHF World Championships in Czechia, where he scored 11 points with three goals.

Matthew Gaudreau also played hockey at Boston College, scoring 62 points with 12 goals in four seasons from 2013-2017.

He played five seasons at the professional level both in the United States and Sweden and most recently played for the Worcester Railers of the ECHL in 2022. He was 29 years old.

The Gaudreau brothers are survived by their family and friends, and their passing is felt by everyone across the hockey world.