There is terrible news impacting the hockey community that was confirmed on Friday. Columbus Blue Jackets star and New Jersey native Johnny Gaudreau passed away in a bike accident in Salem County, NJ. The Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed the news after social media rumors circulated Thursday night.
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
Gaudreau and his family grew up in Salem, and he played hockey at Gloucester Catholic High School before transferring to an Iowa school so he could play in the USHL. He still helps kids with scholarships up until his death with an annual golf tournament to raise money for scholarships, so kids can enjoy the same education he did.
Gaudreau was a phenom in college, committing to Boston College and making an immediate impact. He had 44 points in 44 games, leading all freshmen in scoring. During his college career, he helped BC win the National Championship in 2012, the same year he won the coveted Beanpot MVP. For those who don’t know, the Beanpot is a yearly hockey tournament that pits the four Boston-area hockey teams against each other for a four-team tournament.
In the NHL, Johnny Hockey was born. Gaudreau was immediately impactful to the Calgary Flames, who took him in 2011 with the 104th-overall pick. He was considered one of the biggest draft steals of this era.
In his rookie season, Gaudreau put up 64 points. He jumped to 78 points and never looked back. He hit his peak in 2021-22 when he scored 115 points. That came right before he hit unrestricted free agency, where he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets to be closer to his family in the United States.
Gaudreau was married with two very young children.
His brother Matt Gaudreau also passed away in the crash. Matt was a former New Jersey Devils prospect camp attendee, signing with the team in 2015. At the time, he told Rich Chere of NJ Advanced Media he wanted to prove himself, so he chose the Devils over the more local Philadelphia Flyers. Matt Gaudreau did not have the skill of his brother Johnny, but he will always claim he had him beat in one aspect of the game: defense.
We are devastated to hear about the passing of Johnny and Matt Gaudreau. Our thoughts are with their families in this tragic time.