Johnny Gaudreau: NHL star dies in traffic accident at just 31 years old

Johnny Gaudreau
NHL star dies in traffic accident at just 31 years old

Johnny Gaudreau (1993-2024) is dead. The American ice hockey player has died at the age of just 31. This was confirmed by his NHL team. “The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and deeply saddened by this unimaginable tragedy,” they said in a statement. According to US reports, Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who was two years younger, died in a traffic accident near their hometown of Salem, New Jersey. They were said to have been there for their sister's wedding.

The brothers were cycling on the road on August 29th when they were hit by a car shortly after 8 p.m., the New Jersey State Police confirmed to the US magazine “People”. The accident occurred when the driver, who was presumably under the influence of alcohol, tried to overtake another car. The man was arrested for two counts of vehicular homicide, but the matter is currently under investigation.

Johnny Gaudreau was “a great hockey player” and “loving husband”

According to the Columbus Blue Jackets' statements, the seven-time NHL All-Star Gaudreau was “not only a great hockey player, but above all a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.” The deceased athlete, who was nicknamed “Johnny Hockey,” left behind his parents, his wife Meredith and his children Noa and Johnny.

The statement continues: “Johnny played the game with great joy, and everyone who saw him on the ice felt that. He brought a true love of hockey with him everywhere he played, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames and Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled fans in a way that only Johnny Hockey could.

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