South Jersey’s Johnny Gaudreau and Brother Matt Remembered as ‘Best Buds’

Johnny Gaudreau, the best hockey player South Jersey has ever produced, and his brother, Matt, were killed Thursday night in Salem County as a car driven by an alleged drunk driver hit them while they were riding bicycles.

According to reports, Sean Higgins was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee north on County Route 551 when he tried to pass two vehicles and entered the southbound lane in Oldsman Township, N.J. As the driver tried to pass an SUV, he struck the brothers, who were riding bikes on the right side of the road at 8:19 p.m., reportedly near their family’s home.

Higgins told investigators he had five or six beers before getting behind the wheel, according to an affidavit of probable cause. He was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. During his preliminary hearing Friday, Higgins’ arraignment was rescheduled until Thursday, meaning he will remain in Salem County jail until then.

The brothers were going to be groomsmen in their sister Katie’s wedding Friday afternoon.

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, a perpetually smiling man, was known as “Johnny Hockey” because of his love for the game. Though small in stature (5-foot-9, 165 pounds), the speedy left winger played with infectious energy — and remarkable skill — and was the 2014 Hobey Baker Award winner as the nation’s top NCAA collegiate player. Gaudreau, a lifelong Philadelphia Flyers fan, helped Boston College win the national title in 2012.

He later became a seven-time NHL All-Star.

Matt Gaudreau, 29, played at Boston College and several minor-league teams, and he had recently been the head coach at his alma mater, Gloucester Catholic High.

The Philadelphia Flyers are heartbroken to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. pic.twitter.com/ydNj2td4kv

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) August 30, 2024

Played for their dad

The brothers were extremely close and were coached by their dad, Guy, on Gloucester Catholic’s gifted hockey team.

Johnny and Matt also played on the school’s soccer team.

“They were fun, happy guys who just loved playing sports together and had a lot of energy and were good people,” said a Gloucester Catholic graduate who played soccer at the school with the Gaudreau brothers. “They were best buds.

“It’s just so sad and horrible,” he added.

Tom Iacovone Jr., Gloucester Catholic’s  principal, said the Gaudreau family has been one of the school’s biggest boosters over the years.

“Johnny and Matty were just incredible human beings, along with the entire Gaudreau family,” he said. “At Gloucester Catholic, we talk about how we’re one big family, and sometimes (outsiders) poke fun at that. But the reality is that the Gaudreau family symbolizes what the Gloucester Catholic family is … they just loved each other so much. I don’t know a closer family. They love Gloucester Catholic so much, and Gloucester Catholic loves them.”

He said the brothers “are going to be incredibly missed.”

Johnny Gaudreau spent most of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames; he was about to start his third season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Before signing with Columbus, Gaudreau was a free agent, and his father said he wanted to join the Philadelphia Flyers, but they didn’t make an offer.

Instead, he signed a seven-year contract with Columbus for about $69 million in 2022.

On Friday, fans left flowers, hockey memorabilia and other items outside Columbus’ Nationwide Arena, honoring Gaudreau. The same was done at the Saddledome, Gaudreau’s home arena during his nine years in Calgary. Some fans left heartfelt notes; many wore No. 13 jerseys with Gaudreau’s name on the back.

‘Shocked and devastated’

In a news release, the Blue Jackets said they were “shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”

Gaudreau had two infant children, Noa, a daughter who is almost 2, and Johnny, seven months old.

The team said “the impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.”

Gaudreau was involved in many charitable endeavors, including a golf tournament each year that benefitted Gloucester Catholic. He would frequently return to the school and meet with its hockey players.

“Every time I come back here, it’s even more special,” Gaudreau, who spent three years at the school before playing in the USHL for a season, once said.  “I get to see my old teachers and the students who were in my position years ago.”

In 2020, he and his former Gloucester Catholic linemate, Buddy Robinson, were linemates with the Calgary Flames. 

Wanted to remain involved

Matt Gaudreau resigned as Gloucester Catholic’s coach after last season because his wife is pregnant and he was changing jobs, said Iacovone, the school’s principal.

“But Matty said he would still be involved in any way he could to help support the program and the school,” Iacovone said in a somber tone. “He and Johnny are just great people. Not just for what they do for Gloucester Catholic but the whole South Jersey community.”

The annual golf tournament Johnny Gaudreau hosted in late July was a family affair, Iacovone said. The star player’s wife, brother, sisters, parents and in-laws were involved. “They are such a close-knit group. The golf tournament may have had Johnny’s name on it, but the whole family got behind it,” Iacovone said.

The tourney raises money for tuition-assistance for Gloucester Catholic students, helping families who are struggling financially.

Iacovone said he was talking to Matt Gaudreau yesterday, helping coordinate a wedding photo session for his sister that was going to take place today at Gloucester Catholic. The wedding was postponed.