Johnny Gaudreau cause of death: How did Blue Jackets forward and his brother die?

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother tragically passed away on Thursday evening, with reports confirming the death on Friday morning. The two brothers were together near their hometown in Salem County, New Jersey, when they died.

According to reports, the Gaudreau brothers were hit by a car while bicycling in Salem. The driver who hit them reportedly did not flee the scene. The brothers were reportedly set to be groomsmen at their sister's wedding in Philadelphia on Friday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed the tragedy in a statement on their X account.

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NHL Commissioner's statement on Johnny Gaudreau's death

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that the league was "shocked and saddened" by the passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Bettman said that while Gaudreau exhibited "show-stopping skills" on the ice, he was much more than just a tremendous hockey player.

Johnny Gaudreau passed away at the age of 31 (Imagn)

Bettman detailed the left winger's accomplishments, including seven NHL All-Star appearances, via NHL's PR:

“He will be remembered fondly in Calgary, where he played his first nine seasons with the Flames from 2013-14 to 2021-22, emerging as one of our League’s brightest young stars while compiling the franchise’s fifth-highest career points total.

"His loss also will be felt profoundly in Columbus, the city in which he chose to settle his family and where he was one of the respected, veteran leaders of a club building toward the playoffs."

Bettman noted that the brothers will also be mourned at Boston College, where they were teammates the year Johnny won the Hobey Baker Award in 2013-14. Bettman also added:

“We send our most heart-felt condolences to his wife Meredith; their children, Noa and Johnny; his parents, Guy and Jane; and sisters Kristen and Katie.

"And we grieve alongside his teammates, members of the Blue Jackets and Flames organizations, his many friends in hockey and countless fans around the world for whom he created indelible memories on and off the ice.”

Gaudreau signed with the Blue Jackets in 2022 because he and his wife reportedly wanted to raise their kids in Columbus. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the NHL.