The sports world mourns the passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau

the hockey world and Sporting Community are in mourning today as tributes pour in following the sudden deaths of Johnny GD and his brother Matthew fans have been paying tribute all day with makeshift memorials in Columbus and Calgary where they continue to lead flowers jerseys sticks memorabilia and Personal Touch items like Skittles and Gatorade inside the Saddle Dome the Flames projected a tribute on the Jumbotron riding in loving memory Johnny GD 1993 to 2024 as we welcome you into sports center I'm Sarah Davis the Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed this morning that the lives of the goodro brothers were cut short last night when they were fatally struck by an alleged drunk driver on a Road near their hometown of Salem New Jersey the driver was attempting to pass two vehicles when he struck the brothers who were riding bicycles the brothers were set to be groomsmen in their sister's wedding which was scheduled for today the accused has been charged with two counts of death by Otto and will next appear in court on Thursday Johnny goodro was 31 years old and his brother Matthew was 29 this is the statement that the Blue Jackets released saying 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 Noah and Johnny his parents their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice he brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets he thrilled fans in a way only Johnny hockey could the impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him Johnny embraced our community when he arrived 2 years ago and Columbus welcomed him with open arms we will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this trag tragedy on behalf of the goodro family Johnny and Matthew's Uncle Jim goodro released the following statement last night we lost two husbands two fathers two sons two brothers and two sons and brothers in-laws two nephews two cousins two family members two teammates two friends but truly two amazing humans we want to let everyone know we are receiving your message of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers we ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief the Flames also released a statement saying it's with great sadness we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny GD and his brother Matthew Gad our hearts are broken by this devastating loss Johnny was and always wellbe a member of the Flames family and loved by all of Calgary it was our privilege to call Johnny our teammate for nine amazing years in Calgary he came to Calgary as a young man and grew up here not only as a superstar on the ice but also as a beloved member of our community the pain we feel for Johnny's wife Meredith children Noah and Johnny parents Jane and gee sisters CHR and Katie and the entire goodro family is immense ownership management players and staff of the Flames express our heartfelt sympathies during their time of Sorrow now tributes mourning and support continued in Columbus and Calgary the two places Johnny gdo called home during his NHL career that span parts of 11 Seasons at the Saddle Dome the whl's Calgary Hitman held a moment of silence as the team holds its training camp Flame brass were also in there as general manager Craig Conroy took a moment to pay his respects gdo spent the first eight seasons of his career in Calgary before signing a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets he made his seventh All-Star appearance last year and first with Columbus now good Ro's final season in Calgary was his best in the league as we take a look at his resume here in 2021 to 22 he had a career-high 115 points which was tied for second in the league he finished fourth in heart Trophy voting and previous to that he won the Hobie Baker award in 2014 as the top player in men's NCAA hockey Brad TR living was the Flames general manager from 2014 until G left the team in 2022 and tril living released a statement saying I am absolutely devastated by the news of Johnny GD and his brother Matthew's passing John was a truly special player dazzling on the ice with his incredible talent but what made him truly special was the person he was off the ice his thousand watt smile and infectious personality were matched only by his love for his family friends and those close to him he brought joy to everyone around him and to the many who never knew him but marveled at his Excellence on the ice family was everything to John and in his memory please hug those close to you tighter and longer today and every day Gary Batman also released a statement saying in part the National Hockey League f is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny GD and his brother Matthew while Johnny's infectious spirit for the game and showstopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname Johnny hockey he was more than just a dazzling hockey player he was a doting father and beloved husband son brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path we grieve alongside his teammates members of of the Blue Jackets and Flames organizations has many friends in hockey and countless fans around the world for whom he created indelible memories on and off the ice