Bruins ‘heartbroken’ after death of Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau

The Boston Bruins were among several NHL teams who released a statement after Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed on Thursday night.

The Boston Bruins are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Johnny Matthew Gaudreau.

The Gaudreaus will forever be part of the Boston hockey community thanks to the incredible impact they made as student athletes on and off the ice at Boston College.

We send our support and condolences to their family, friends, teammates, the Calgary Flames, and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Both Gaudreau brothers played at Boston College. Johnny was drafted by the Flames in 2011 and spent his first nine NHL seasons there before signing with the Blue Jackets in 2022. Matthew played for the Worcester Railers in their inaugural ECHL season.

“The entire BC community is stunned by the tragic news. Johnny Gaudreau was not only one of the greatest @BC_MHockey players but also one of the nicest. Matthew was a gifted player & beloved by teammates. Our prayers are with the Gaudreau family at this time of unimaginable loss,” the school said in a statement.

“The Boston College Athletics Department and its men’s hockey program are devasted and mourn the tragic loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on Thursday night. Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were shining stars on and off the ice for the Eagles. ... We extend our deepest sympathies to the entire Gaudreau family and mourn with them during this time of tragedy.”

Other NHL teams also extended their condolences to the Gaudreau family.

Toronto Maple Leafs: The Toronto Maple Leafs join the entire hockey community in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the Gaudreau family, their friends, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames organizations, and all those who knew and loved Johnny and Matthew during this unimaginably difficult time.

Philadelphia Flyers: Throughout all of their success in the hockey world, both continued to give back to our community. Johnny and Matthew, as well as the entire Gaudreau family, have made a sizable difference in the lives of so many in the Philadelphia area to learning and growing to love the sport of hockey.

Our prayers and deepest sympathies go out to Johnny’s wife, Meredith, their children, Noa and Johnny, Matthew’s wife Madeline, and the entire Gaudreau family during this unimaginably difficult time. Johnny and Matthew were, and always will be, beloved and cherished members of the Flyers community and entire hockey world.

Montreal Canadiens: The Canadiens family is profoundly saddened to learn this morning of the tragic passing of brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

The organization joins the entire hockey community in offering its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Johnny and Matthew, as well as to their many teammates, coaches, and friends who had the privilege of knowing and crossing paths with them during their inspiring hockey careers.

The Club also extends its deepest condolences to all members of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames organizations during these difficult times.

To the hockey world, who has lost two exceptional ambassadors and individuals of even greater quality, our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Canadiens, as throughout the NHL, mourn the loss of Johnny and Matthew.

Calgary Flames: It’s with great sadness, we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau.

Our hearts are broken by this devastating loss. Johnny was and always will be a member of the Flames family and loved by all of Calgary.

Other tributes poured in for the brothers from around the sports world.

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels outfielder: Devastated by the loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Sending my deepest condolences and love to their family.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers forward: Insane man! I instantly got so down and sad after reading the story. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the Gaudreau family! May Johnny and Matthew fly high, guide/guard and bless their family/s from the heavens above.

Brian Burke, NHL executive: I was lucky enough to have Johnny with the Calgary Flames and with USA Hockey, and it cannot be overstated just what a joy it was for everyone involved to have Johnny Gaudreau on their team. First and foremost, Johnny was always the first to raise his hand to give back to his community. When we had any charity requests, we always knew he would say yes, without hesitation. His love of his family, friends and alma mater was always apparent and was clearly the driving force in his life.

First are foremost Johnny was always the first to raise his hand and give back to his community.

His love of his family, friends, and alma mater was always apparent and was clearly the driving force in his life. What I will remember most was his happiness, enthusiasm, and kindness that radiated through the locker room every day. There are few players in hockey history who matched his passion and love for the game of hockey. His talent on the ice was enhanced, not diminished, by the fact that he was having fun out there.

Johnny and Matthew were killed when police say a man driving an SUV struck the brothers in New Jersey.

Sean Higgins, 43, is being charged with two counts of death by auto. According to police, the Gaudreau brothers were cycling on a road when a man driving in the same direction attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck them from behind on Thursday night. Johnny and Matthew were pronounced dead at the scene.

The brothers were in New Jersey for their sister Katie’s wedding. The two were scheduled to be groomsmen.

Higgins is being held at Salem County Jail and is suspected by police of driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by The Associated Press, Higgins told a responding officer he had five or six beers prior to the accident and admitted to consuming alcohol while driving. He failed a field sobriety test. His blood alcohol level was not immediately available.

The Associated Press contributed to this article