Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by a suspected drunk driver

As a member of the Flames, he scored 115 points during the 2021-22 season, including 14 points in 12 playoff games. It was the second-most regular-season points ever for a Calgary Flame, trailing only Kent Nilsson in the 1980-81 season.

Johnny Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Blue Jackets as a free agent in 2022. He played two seasons in Columbus, scoring 134 points in 161 regular season games.

Matthew Gaudreau also attended Boston College and played several seasons of professional hockey in the ECHL with the Reading Royals and Worcester Railers. He also appeared in AHL games with the Stockton Heat and Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Johnny Gaudreau leaves behind his wife Meredith and his two children Noa and Johnny.

Mourning the tragic deaths of their brothers

Several NHL teams, including the Flames and the Toronto Maple Leafs, issued statements following the news of the deaths of both Gaudreau brothers.

“It is with great sadness that we mourn the tragic death of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau,” The Flames organization wrote“We are heartbroken by this devastating loss. Johnny was and will always be a member of the Flames family and is loved by all of Calgary.”

“The Toronto Maple Leafs joins the entire hockey community in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” the Maple Leafs wrote.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the Gaudreau family, their friends, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames organizations, and everyone who knew and loved Johnny and Matthew during this unimaginably difficult time.”

While Johnny Gaudreau played in Calgary, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving worked in the Flames' front office for several years. In a separate statementTreliving praised his former player and acknowledged his infectious personality on and off the ice.

“He brought joy to everyone around him, including the many who never knew him but admired his excellence on the ice.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on the tragedy in a post on Xand wrote: “Johnny Gaudreau may have been from the States, but hockey fans in Calgary and across Canada will remember him as one of us. We are thinking of his teammates, friends and the Gaudreau family today.”