COLUMBUS, Ohio — Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother were set to be groomsmen on Friday at their sister’s wedding. They were near their childhood home in New Jersey when the brothers were killed by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles.
Gaudreau was known around the hockey world as “Johnny Hockey.” It was a nickname coined by fans when he starred at Boston College from 2011 to 2014. He helped BC win the national title in 2012 and took home the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top player two years later.
He was part of a generation of hockey players who thrived in an era of speed and skill that made being undersized less of a disadvantage.
Johnny Hockey’s story began in New Jersey. The Gaudreau brothers grew up in the suburbs of Carneys Point, New Jersey.
They spent their entire childhoods on the ice. They played at Gloucester Catholic High School, with Team Comcast and with the Philadelphia Little Flyers.
Johnny Gaudreau was a fourth-round pick of the Calgary Flames in 2011 and made his NHL debut in 2014 just after playing his final college game. He was named to the league's all-rookie team during his first full professional season.
Gaudreau in 2017 won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player who exhibits sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. He was perennially one of the top players in the sport and in 2021-22 set career highs with 40 goals, 75 assists and 115 points.
That summer, he signed a seven-year contract worth $68.25 million with the Columbus Blue Jackets as the top free agent on the market. He made two more All-Star Weekend appearances, giving him seven total.
He holds the men’s world championship records by a U.S. player with 30 assists and 43 points, earlier this year breaking marks previously held by Patrick Kane.
When sharing condolences and thoughts, officials at Boston College say Gaudreau was one of the greatest hockey players at the school and also one of the nicest.
“Matthew was a gifted player and beloved by teammates,” college officials said.
The Columbus Blue Jackets said the hockey star brought a genuine love for the sport with him everywhere he played.
“He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could,” the team said.