Sports
'Johnny Hockey' Gaudreau, brother killed after car hits their bikes on eve of sister's wedding
NHL All-Star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed Thursday evening when they were hit by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in New Jersey, according to police.
They died one day before their sister, Katie, was to be married.
The Gaudreau brothers were to be groomsmen at the wedding scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia. Johnny Gaudreau, 31, was an 11-year NHL veteran, and the Columbus Blue Jackets — his team since 2022 — described the deaths as an “unimaginable tragedy” in a social media post.
Reaction was swift, heartfelt and came from across the sports landscape.
Former Calgary Flames teammate Blake Coleman posted that he was “completely gutted. The world just lost one of the best,” and retired goaltender Eddie Lack wrote on X, “I don’t know why I’m even writing right now I’m shaking but Johnny was one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever played with. Always happy, always spreading positivity around him. Rest in Peace my friend and prayers for your wonderful family. Hug your loved ones.”
Lakers star LeBron James, who’s from Akron, Ohio, wrote on X: “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.”
New Jersey State police said Sean M. Higgins, 43, attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck the cycling Gaudreau brothers from behind. Higgins, of Woodstown, N.J., is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and was charged with two counts of death by auto. He is in custody.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by the Associated Press, Higgins told a responding officer he had five or six beers prior to the crash and admitted to consuming alcohol while driving. He failed a field sobriety test, the complaint said, though his blood-alcohol level was not immediately available.
Brothers Johnny Gaudreau, right, and Matthew Gaudreau after Boston College beat Northeastern University to win the Beanpot Championship on Feb. 10, 2014, in Boston.
(Richard T Gagnon / Getty Images)
“While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping 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,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.
The “Johnny Hockey” nickname was rooted in Gaudreau’s dynamic blend of skill and speed on the ice. Undersized at 5 feet 9 and 175 pounds, he became a fan favorite who starred for the Flames for nine years. He was an All-Star in 2022 when he posted a career-high 40 goals and 75 assists.
In an unexpected move, Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68.25-million contract with the Blue Jackets in 2022, choosing the perennial underdogs over more comparable deals offered by the more established New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders.
Gaudreau helped Boston College win the NCAA championship in 2012, and in 2014 was given the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top college player. In the NHL, he scored 20-plus goals six times and totaled 642 points in 644 regular-season and playoff games.
Matthew Gaudreau, 29, graduated from Boston College in 2017 and played minor league hockey, most recently with the Worcester Railers in 2022. He was the hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic High in New Jersey the last two seasons.
“I am devastated and heartbroken over the news of the death of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau,” said Jerry York, who coached the Gaudreaus at Boston College. “They were not only great hockey players, but two outstanding young men. They represented their families and Boston College with the utmost class. Please keep the Gaudreau family in your prayers during this tragic and unspeakable time.”
NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said: “Johnny was a beloved teammate and friend in both Calgary and Columbus, and he was a joy to watch during his 10 years and 763 games in the NHL. … The players and staff of the NHLPA are devastated by these terrible losses.”
USA Hockey said, “Words cannot appropriately express the sorrow the hockey community is feeling.”
The Flames said Gaudreau “came to Calgary as a young man and grew up here, not only as a superstar on the ice but also a beloved member of our community.”
Johnny Gaudreau leaves his wife, Meredith, and two young children, Noa and Johnny. Matthew Gaudreau is survived by his wife of three years, Madeline.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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If the Super Bowl marks the end of the NFL season, WrestleMania is when WWE’s year is over.
There is no offseason in WWE, and when waves of departures hit the company, it hits harder than a Gunther knife-edge chop.
Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Nikki Cross appear during SmackDown at First Horizon Center in Savannah, Ga., on May 23, 2025. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Fightful and BodySlam both reported several superstars who left WWE on Friday ahead of “Friday Night SmackDown.” Some wrestlers confirmed their departures on social media.
Those who left included: Alba Fyre, Aleister Black, Alex Shelley, Andre Chase, Apollo Crews, Bo Dallas, Chris Island, Chris Sabin, Dante Chen, Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Kairi Sane, Luca Crusifino, Malik Blade, Nikki Cross, Santos Escobar, Sirena Linton, Trill London, Tyra Mae Steele, Tyriek Igwe, Tyson Dupont, Zelina Vegas and Zoey Stark.
The WWE roster is loaded as it is with several NXT stars getting called up this week.
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Sol Ruca made her presence felt on Raw on Monday when she challenged women’s champion Liv Morgan. The Fatal Influence faction of Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley took aim at the women’s tag team division on SmackDown on Friday. Ricky Saints and Blake Monroe also had vignettes for their upcoming appearances.
Meanwhile, former NXT champion Oba Femi has been on main WWE programming for the last few weeks and beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42.
Kairi Sane enters the ring during Monday Night RAW at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on April 13, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega make their way to the ring during SmackDown at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 3, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
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It’s not the end of the road for any of the recent departures. Several former WWE stars have made waves elsewhere. Some have even returned over the course of time.
Pitching coach Gus Rico was having dinner on Thursday when head coach Matt Mowry of Birmingham High complimented him on closer Aidan Martinez recording all seven of his outs on strikeouts.
“I had no idea,” Rico said. “Everything is a blur when I’m calling pitches.”
Martinez is throwing some blurs these days after returning this season following Tommy John surgery in June 2024. He touched 92 mph with his fastball and has been improving each week, getting better command and walking fewer batters. He has 28 strikeouts in 15 innings and three saves.
Birmingham is one game behind El Camino Real in the West Valley League standings going into showdown week, playing El Camino Real on Wednesday at on the road and Friday at home. The Patriots need a sweep to have a chance at their first league title under Mowry, who prefers winning City titles.
With Martinez throwing so well, it would be a good strategy for opposing teams to make sure they are leading going into the last two innings.
“He’s got a bright future,” Rico said.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.
Shortly after the Wolverines captured the program’s first title since 1989, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. announced he would enter the NBA Draft.
Despite declaring for the NBA Draft, Johnson has maintained his NCAA eligibility throughout the process. However, he has until May 27 to withdraw if he plans to return for his junior season.
Johnson played for Illinois during the 2024-25 season before transferring to Michigan last offseason.
Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. walks on the court against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated)
After joining Michigan, Johnson quickly emerged as a key contributor, averaging the second-most points on the team. He also led the Wolverines in rebounding, averaging 7.3 per game.
Michigan head coach Dusty May eventually dubbed Johnson “The Enforcer” and “Junkyard Dog,” a nod to his tenacity on the defensive end. Johnson was named to the Big Ten’s All-Defensive Team.
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But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths. His shooting from beyond the 3-point line showed improvement as the season progressed.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the 2026 NCAA national championship game in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Many early NBA projections gave Johnson a first-round grade. It’s unclear how much name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation he would command if he returns to Michigan or transfers elsewhere.
Johnson has been active on social media, interacting with teammates as they consider returning to Michigan for another championship push.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after scoring in the second half against the UConn Huskies during the 2026 NCAA national championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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Michigan added a key piece this week, with Jalen Reed transferring from LSU, On3 reported. Reed was limited during the 2025-26 season by an Achilles injury.
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