NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, brother killed after being struck by accused drunk driver in N.J. (2024)

National Hockey League star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother were struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding bicycles Thursday evening near their New Jersey homes, authorities said.

Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew R. Gaudreau, 29, were riding north on County Road 551 in Oldmans Township, Salem County when a man driving an SUV tried to pass two other vehicles and hit the brothers, State Police said.

Both the Columbus Blue Jackets starr and his brother were pronounced dead at the scene.

“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the team said in a statement. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significant a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents and their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.”

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The driver of the SUV — Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Pilesgrove, was charged with two counts of death by auto and is being held at the Salem County jail. Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, authorities said.

Higgins attempted to reenter the northbound lanes after passing the slower moving car and then tried to pass another SUV on the right when he hit the Gaudreau brothers. He told investigators he had five or six beers before getting behind the wheel, according to an affidavit of probable cause outlining the charges against him.

Higgins allegedly told investigators that he thought the driver of the SUV was trying to stop him from passing. He also told investigators that his consumption of alcohol contributed to his impatience and reckless driving, according to the criminal complaint.

Johnny Gaudreau, a winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets, starred at Gloucester Catholic High School before being drafted in 2011 by the Calgary Flames.

The brothers were planning to attend their sister’s wedding in New Jersey on Friday.

Gaudreau’s parents still reside on the road where the brothers were struck and killed. There were multiple vehicles at their parent’s house on Friday afternoon as people arrived to offer their condolences, some bringing flowers. Those at the house declined to speak with NJ Advance Media.

Johnny Gaudreau, known as “Johnny Hockey,” has played 11 professional seasons in the league and was going into his third with the Blue Jackets. He played his first nine with the Calgary Flames, a tenure that included becoming one of the sport’s top players and a fan favorite across North America.

Gaudreau, at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, 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. He scored 20-plus goals six times and was a 115-point player in 2021-22 as a first-time NHL All-Star when he had a career-best 40 goals and 75 assists.

A fourth-round pick of Calgary’s in 2011, Gaudreau helped Boston College win the NCAA championship in 2012 and in 2014 took home the Hobey Baker Award as the top college player in the country.

As a professional, Gaudreau finished was part of the NHL all-rookie team during his first season in the league and was third in voting for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2014-15.

Gaudreau was a point-a-game player with 642 points in 644 regular-season and playoff games since breaking into the league. He most recently signed a seven-year contract in 2022 worth nearly $69 million that put him and his young family in central Ohio, closer to his family in New Jersey.

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.

“The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “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.”

Matthew Gaudreau was the ice hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. He has also played professional hockey. He most recently played for the minor league Worcester Railers during the 2021-22 season. Prior to that he played one season for the Reading Royals.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.