The Gaudreaus are mourning the loss of Johnny, an NHL star for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his brother, Matthew, after they were killed on the eve of their sister's wedding.
- August 30, 2024
AceShowbiz - The wedding of Katie Gaudreau, sister of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, was called off after Johnny and their brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were tragically killed by a suspected drunk driver. The devastating event has left their family and the hockey community in shock and mourning.
Katie Gaudreau and her fiancé, Devin Joyce, had been eagerly planning their nuptials at the Parish of St. Mary in Gloucester City, NJ. The wedding was scheduled for the upcoming Friday at 1:45 P.M., with both Johnny and Matthew serving as groomsmen. Following the ceremony, the family was to travel to Philadelphia for a 7:30 P.M. reception at the Lucy by Cescaphe, according to the couple's page on The Knot.
The Gaudreau family's plans took a horrifying turn on Thursday evening when Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were struck by a Jeep Grand Cherokee while they were biking in their hometown of Salem County, NJ.
Messages of condolences began to pour in as news of the tragedy spread. Police identified the driver as Sean M. Higgins, 43, who admitted to having consumed five or six beers before the incident. He failed a sobriety test and was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.
An unidentified church official confirmed to TMZ Friday that the wedding had been canceled in the wake of the heartbreaking news. Katie Gaudreau's wedding photos, meant to capture moments of joy, have been substituted by memories of grief and loss.
Johnny Gaudreau, beloved by fans and teammates alike, played for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team issued a statement the following morning expressing their profound sadness: "We are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy."
Johnny leaves behind his wife, Meredith Gaudreau, and their two young children, a 1-year-old daughter named Noa and a 6-month-old son, Johnny Jr.
Matthew Gaudreau was also an accomplished hockey player, having most recently played for the Worcester Railers. Both brothers were remembered not just for their athletic talents, but for the bond they shared with their family and each other.
The entire hockey community, along with friends and loved ones of the Gaudreau family, are grappling with the enormity of the loss. While the canceled wedding underscores the personal heartbreak, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of drunk driving.
The reverberations of this tragedy are felt far beyond the ice rink, reaching into the hearts of those who knew and admired Johnny and Matthew. Their legacy will endure, marked by both their contributions to the sport and the indelible impact on their loved ones' lives.
