Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames honor Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew as thousands attend emotional vigils after tragic DUI crash
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames both held vigils on Wednesday night to pay tribute to former player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew after they were tragically killed last week.
Gaudreau, a 31-year-old NHL veteran who was gearing up for his third season in Columbus, and younger sibling Matthew, 29, died last Thursday after being struck by a vehicle while out cycling in New Jersey the night before their sister Katie’s wedding.
The driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins of Woodstown, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide with no bail or bond and is alleged to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He is said to have admitted to cops that he had ‘5 to 6’ drinks before getting behind the wheel.
Johnny spent the first nine seasons of his 11-year NHL career with the Flames, a tenure that made him one of the sport’s top players and a fan favorite across North America, before joining the Blue Jackets in 2022.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames both held vigils on Wednesday night to pay tribute to former player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames both held vigils on Wednesday night to pay tribute to former player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew
And following the devastating news, both Calgary and Columbus honored the Gaudreau brothers in emotional vigils on Wednesday night.
Thousands of fans headed to the team’s respective arenas in Alberta and Ohio to remember the pair, who leave behind wives Meredith and Madeline.
Johnny had two children with Meredith – Noa, one, and six-month-old son Johnny – while Madeline is currently pregnant with her and Matthew’s first child.
A number of Columbus and Calgary figures spoke at the two vigils as fans held candles aloft in memory of the Gaudreau brothers.
Flames general manager Craig Conroy said: ‘This is an amazing turnout for Johnny and Matthew, but I’m not surprised. Flames fans, right from the beginning when we heard this tragic news, coming out the first day there was a little bit [of a crowd] right here, and every day when I came out there was more and more and more.
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