What we're learning after NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, brother killed by alleged drunk driver

an unimaginable tragedy has shaken the hockey Sports World and a South Jersey Community NHL player Johnny gdo and his brother Matthew were killed in a collision last night on a roadway in Salem County New Jersey State Police say they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes tonight that driver is facing charges as family and friends try to cope with the loss Friday night the big story on Action News is the tragic and untimely death of NHL St are Johnny Gad and his brother they grew up in sou Jersey and the tragedy came on the eve of their sister's wedding action news reporter Trish Hartman live at holidale ice rink in Su with more Trish well R this is the ice rink where the brothers learned to play hockey and so many devastated players and parents came by here today you can see just outside there's a growing Memorial people have been bringing flowers and hockey sticks writing messages on them of love and support for the family mean while the suspect accused of hitting and killing the brothers appeared in court today the man accused of hitting and killing NHL player Johnny gdo and his younger brother Matthew appeared in front of a judge today you're charged now with two counts of second degree vehicular homicide 43-year-old sha Higgins is accused of hitting the two brothers who were on bicycles in Salem County New Jersey Thursday night according to court papers Higgins told officers he had five or six beers before getting behind the wheel both brothers were supposed to participate in their sister's wedding today I just didn't want to believe it so I just kind of went to bed and then I woke up and saw the news that it was true and I was shocked the young men were revered in South Jersey's hockey Community the graduated from Gloucester Catholic High School a statement from the school's principal said in part quote along with their incredible talents on the ice they will be remembered even more by our Gloucester Catholic Family as loving Sons Brothers husbands friends and role models their hockey career got started at hollydell ice arena in Su Mr G G taught his sons how to play at this Rank and they grew up here and they're South Jersey Legends Maddie and Johnny Matthew had recently been a coach here at hell both men were looked up to by younger players who are now devastated like Maddie he was always just like making jokes around the rank he' make you laugh every day could always talk to him I mean they were Role Models they were they're the best players to ever come out of this rank now the suspect will remain behind bars at least until September 5th when he is scheduled to have a detention hearing now making this tragedy even more devastating we have just learned that Matthew's wife is pregnant now Johnny and Matthew's families did release a statement today expressing gratitude for all the outpouring of support from the community they are asking for respect and privacy as they grieve we're live in Su New Jersey Trish Hartman Channel 6 Action News our thoughts with the family Trish thanks let's go live now action news reporter John Paul as we continue our coverage live ports at the Well Fargo Center in South Philadelphia and John you have more on gd's career and his love for his hometown team even when he was playing against them right yeah Rick sh I mean look they both grew up watching the Flyers play Johnny even played against the Flyers a few times here at the Wells Fargo Center he wasn't shy about telling people that he loved this area so what we did was we went back through our archives and we also talked to some fans about this tragedy very sad for family the NHL hockey in general uh what happened the other night as words spread of the horrific crash that killed NHL star Johnny goodro and his brother Matthew locals and fans who have followed their careers share their condolences any life cut short he was here for a celebration he was here for um his sister's wedding and now they're all going to be gathering on under the most horrific saddest circumstances it it's awful it it it's we're heartbroken to hear it Johnny gd's career took him all over the world but he grew up watching the Flyers and in 2014 he got the chance to play at Wells Fargo Center for Boston College in the Frozen 4 he talked to action news about what it was like that's exciting uh never thought I'd get the chance to do this play in front of uh my hometown friends and family and he to playing for a frozen floor in a national championship so it's been an exciting year so far and uh my goal our team goal has been to get the to Philly this year later that year he was signed to a rookie contract with the Calgary Flames a team that would eventually play against the flyers in Philadelphia the next year he talked about that experience from the locker room you know my dream come true growing up watching the Flyers always dreamed about playing for the Flyers and you know playing in the NHL and you know it's not the Flyers that I'm playing for but you know it's an NHL team and I get to play against a team that I grew up watching so it's exciting for me after eight years with the Flames he was signed to a 68 million dollar deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022 he was asked if he had mixed feelings about not playing for the Flyers but said that he was doing what was best for his family me and my wife thought it was a really good fit for us uh we looked at some some other options but I think this was the best one for us personally and where we're at in our in our life and uh just made the most sense now for their part the Flyers did put out a statement today and I want to read you part of it it says that John and Matthew were and always will be beloved and cherished members of the Flyers community and the entire Hockey World we're live tonight in South Philadelphia John Paul Channel 6 Action News Rick all right John thank you and for more the tragic deaths of the cadro brothers visit 6abc.com we posted more details on their lives and careers plus statements from the sports community