Johnny Gaudreau, the American winger who dazzled NHL fans with his skill and talent despite his small stature, today was tragically announced dead at the age of 31 following a cycling accident involving a drunk driver in his home state of New Jersey, alongside his younger brother Matthew, aged 29.

A Hobey Baker and NCAA winner at Boston College, Gaudreau, a fourth round pick of Calgary in the 2011 NHL Draft, exploded into the NHL in 2014, with his high speed, creativity and dominance of play turned him from merely a 5″9 mid-six winger into “Johnny Hockey,” an offensive powerhouse that became the core of the Flames offence. A six-time All-Star with the Flames, Gaudreau also captured All-Rookie and First All-Star honours, as well as the Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly play in 2017. Signing as a free agent with Columbus in 2022, citing a desire to play closer to family, Gaudreau received another All-Star nod in his first season with the Blue Jackets, who now are dealing with the second tragic death of a young player in recent years, following the accidental death of Matīss Kivlenieks in 2021. In his 11 NHL seasons, Gaudreau would notch 743 points in 763 career games, along with another 33 points in 42 playoff appearances over five seasons.

A native of South New Jersey, Gaudreau first suited up for Team USA at the 2013 World Junior Championships, notching nine points in seven games en route to the Americans‘ third ever Gold medal in Ufa, Russia, leading the tournament in goals (with seven) and being named to the tournament All-Star team. Gaudreau would join the senior team for his World Championship debut the following year, his first of five (2014, 2017-19, 2024) appearances at the Worlds. While Gaudreau was not able to help Team USA capture their elusive first world title since 1933, Gaudreau did help the U.S. to Bronze in 2018, and was a point a game player (43 points in 40 games) over five tournaments, holding the American record for all-time tournament points. Gaudreau also competed at the 2016 World Cup Of Hockey as part of the “Team North America” under-23 squad, notching four points in three games alongside the top junior talent from Canada and the United States.

Matthew, a year younger than Johnny, was also a talented hockey player in his own right, competing at Boston College from 2013-17, and spending time in the AHL and ECHL systems of the Flames, New York Islanders and his hometown Philadelphia Flyers before moving into coaching in 2022, most recently working as head coach of the Gloucester Catholic High School hockey team in Gloucester City, New Jersey, the brothers’ alma mater.

Our condolences go out to the Gaudreau family, as well as the extended hockey community across the globe, on the unexpected and horrifically tragic loss of two players gone far too soon.

Photo Credit: USA Today – IIHF – HHOF – IOC