According to reports, the accident happened Thursday night around 8:30 p.m. when the brothers were riding their bikes on Pennsville Auburn Road in Oldmans Township in Salem County, New Jersey.
While riding, they were hit by a suspected drunk driver and both lost their lives. Reports say the driver stayed on-scene following the crash.
Johnny and Matt, who both live outside Salem, had come back home to attend their sister Katie’s wedding on Friday.
After hours of speculation and rumor mongering, the Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed the death of Johnny Hockey.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are 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. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew,” a statement from the organization read.
Prior to the release of the statement, social media had been going agog with news of Gaudreau’s death. Below is the whirlwind account of what happened prior to official confirmation from the authorities.
The Rumor Mill
The incident reportedly occurred around 8:30 p.m. Thursday night on Pennsville Auburn Road near Stumpy Lane in Oldmans Township in Salem County, New Jersey.
While currently playing for the Blue Jackets in Ohio, Gaudreau is a Salem NJ native.
Journalist and CEO of Sports Thinkers, Steve Franklin, whose X bio claims he ‘says what the common man is afraid to say’, reported that the news had been confirmed to him by a brother who is a cop.
“My brother (police officer in Salem County, NJ) has confirmed with me that NHL Player Johnny Gaudreau has passed away in a car accident. Rest in peace, Johnny Gaudreau. Columbus Blue Jackets legend,” he wrote.
It is important to note that Franklin has gotten some stories embarrassingly wrong in the past including a similar rumor about Amari Cooper that turned out false.
Irrespective of the sketchy nature of the initial info, the news sparked off intense discussions on X and other social media platforms as people raced to find out the truth.
Despite reporting from no official sources, numerous people in the hockey community are confirming the news, starting with former NHL referee Tim Peel, who wrote on X after someone asked him to take down his post on the reported death: “Morgan unfortunately this is true. Jonny and his brother were killed by a drunk driver tonight,”
After further probing, Peel said he wouldn’t give away his sources but knows for a fact that some Calgary Flames reporters (Johnny’s former team) confirmed the news to him.
Meanwhile, a reporter revealed that after speaking with the New Jersey State Police, they said that they were being bombarded with numerous calls about the incident but they cannot confirm or deny the rumor at this time.
Another X account alleging to be a Blue Flames employee also claims the news has been confirmed to the organization but that like everything else remains a rumor until otherwise stated.
Essentially, we all have to remain in purgatory until authorities confirm or deny this news. Nevertheless, the delay in any reaction is leaving fans completely in limbo.
“Hoping this is a mistake…” one distraught fan wrote.
Another said: “Pray it’s not true , if it is such a tragic loss,”
Other fans are promising fire and brimstone for the X accounts spreading the info if it turns out to be false.
Johnny Gaudreau: A Hockey Star Cut Short
Johnny Gaudreau nicknamed Johnny Hockey is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Gaudreau was born John Michael Gaudreau on August 13th, 1993 in Salem, New Jersey. He grew up in Carneys Point Township and played pee-wee hockey and little league baseball.
He got his start playing for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League in 2010–11 season. He made the 2011 USHL All-Star Game and was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team and to the All-USHL Second Team. He was also rookie of the year.
His play was rewarded as the Calgary Flames selected him with the 104th pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
He played for the NCAA Division I’s Boston College Eagles from 2011 to 2014 , winning the 2014 winner Hobey Baker Award as the best player in the NCAA. During his rookie NHL season, was named to the 2014 NHL All-Rookie team. and during his first full season, he made the 2015 NHL All-Star Game.
After several years in Calgary, Gaudreau declined to re-sign to the team as he wanted to return home and joined the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent in July 2022, signing a seven-year, $68.25 million contract, less money than he would have made by staying with the Flames.
A Tragic End
The news of Johnny Gaudreau’s passing has sent shockwaves through the hockey world. Fans, teammates, and fellow players are mourning the loss of a talented player and a beloved member of the hockey community. The NHL is expected to issue a statement on the tragedy soon.
This is a developing story. We will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.
We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau during this difficult time.
