In a heartrending incident that has left the hockey world reeling, Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed in a tragic accident involving a suspected drunk driver. According to The Columbus Dispatch, the deadly collision occurred Thursday night in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, a stone's throw from where the Gaudreaus grew up.

The Blue Jackets expressed their sorrow over the loss of their leading forward and his brother in a statement this morning, calling it "shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy." as per CNN Sports, Johnny, who was 31 years old, had signed with the Blue Jackets in July 2022 after a spell with the Calgary Flames, while Matthew was 29. An additional detail that underscores the poignancy of these events is their supposed roles as groomsmen in their sister's wedding the following day, a plan shared on a popular wedding site.

According to details gratefully provided by CNN Sports, the Gaudreau brothers were cycling around 8:19 p.m. when a Jeep Grand Cherokee struck them. The driver of the Jeep was allegedly attempting to overtake two slower-moving vehicles on the county road when the accident occurred.

An arrest report obtained by ABC6 cited that the driver, identified as Sean Higgins, had consumed "approximately 5-6 beers prior to the accident." Johnny was not just a top athlete but also a loving husband and father to two children. Social media has seen an outpouring of support for the family, with fans and fellow players alike paying tribute using the hashtag #SticksOutForJohnny, signifying the hockey community's collective mourning and respect.