R.I.P “Johnny Hockey”

Good morning hockey world,

Unfortunately we all woke up this morning to the tragic news that star winger of the Columbus Blue Jackets (formerly Calgary Flames) Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed as they were bicycling on County Route 551 in New Jersey and were struck by a car. The brothers were back in their hometown of Salem, NJ for their sister Katie’s wedding in Philadelphia which was supposed to be today. It has been reported that the driver has been arrested and is suspected of driving under the influence.

I was in complete and utter shock to hear the news when I opened up my phone to our TXHT group chat to see that Johnny Gaudreau had tragically passed away. Gaudreau has been one of my favorite players to watch as he was quite a highly skilled playmaker despite his small frame. Being that he was from my home state of New Jersey also had its appeal and made me a fan of him as well. He was famously known going back to his college days at Boston College and throughout the National Hockey League as “Johnny Hockey”. In college, Gaudreau helped Boston College win a NCAA national title and won two consecutive Hockey East player of the year awards while also winning the Hobey Baker award as the NCAA’s best ice hockey player back in 2014. When he made it to the NHL, Gaudreau’s impact was made right away and was a Calder finalist in his rookie year back in 2015 for the Calgary Flames (before becoming a Columbus Blue Jacket in free agency back in 2022), being a multiple time NHL All Star, and winner of the Lady Bang trophy for being the most sportsmanlike player back in 2017. He has also represented Team USA on the international stage at multiple World Championship tournaments at the junior and professional level as well. Johnny Gaudreau played in 763 games and recorded 243 goals with 500 assists for a total of 743 total points in the National Hockey League.

We all as hockey fans will miss watching “Johnny Hockey” dazzle us with his amazing hockey sense and skills out there on the ice. I still remember to this day the amazing play he made for Boston College in the NCAA title game in his freshman year no less to help seal the victory for his team and the championship. Off the ice, Johnny was an even more amazing person who was popular throughout the league and helped many charitable causes. Included below is a statement from both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames on his passing for whom both teams Gaudreau played for in the NHL. To pay tribute to him, here are some of Johnny Gaudreau’s best highlights which will include his famous play he made in the NCAA title game. R.I.P Johnny Hockey, we will miss you!

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