Johnny Gaudreau and Kevin Hayes Bruce Bennett/Getty Photographs
Hockey participant Kevin Hayes paid his respects to his longtime pal Johnny Gaudreau.
“Love you John!” the Pittsburgh Penguins middle, 32, wrote through his Instagram Story on Friday, August 30 alongside a throwback photograph of Gaudreau and Hayes’ nephew Beau.
Kevin’s brother, fellow NHL star Jimmy Hayes, welcomed son Beau in Might 2021 with spouse Kristen Hayes. Jimmy tragically died three months later at age 31. A toxicology report later confirmed Jimmy had cocaine and fentanyl in his system on the time of his dying.
“Say good day to Beau’s dad for me,” Kevin added.
Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram Though Johnny Gaudreau cherished the sport of hockey, his household at all times got here first. Off the ice, the NHL participant loved spending high quality time along with his spouse, Meredith, and their two kids, Noa and Johnny. Tragedy struck the Gaudreau household, nonetheless, when Johnny and his youthful brother, Matthew Gaudreau, have been killed whereas […]
In a subsequent submit, Kevin shared a black-and-white photograph of Johnny’s brother, Matthew, writing, “RIP Matty G.”
Kevin’s friendship with the Gaudreau brothers goes again to when Jimmy and Johnny performed hockey at Boston School. After their time in college, Jimmy went on to play professionally for the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. Johnny was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2011 the place he performed for 11 years. He later joined the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent.
Jimmy’s widow, Kristen, additionally reacted to the information of the Gaudreau brothers’ passing. She reshared a photograph of Jimmy and Johnny captioning the photograph, “Unimaginable information this morning. Heartbroken. There aren’t any phrases.”
Jimmy Hayes and Kevin Hayes Bruce Bennett/Getty Photographs
Information broke on Friday that Johnny and Matthew died after they have been struck on bikes by an obvious drunk driver in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on the night of Thursday, August 29. Johnny was 31 whereas Matthew was 29.
The brothers have been on the town for his or her sister Katie’s marriage ceremony in Philadelphia on Friday. Each males have been going to be groomsmen within the ceremony.
Johnny’s present crew, the Columbus Blue Jackets, confirmed his dying through an announcement.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the franchise posted through X on Friday morning. “Johnny was not solely an incredible hockey participant, however extra considerably a loving father, son, brother and pal. We prolong our heartfelt sympathies to his spouse, Meredith, his kids Noa and Johnny, his mother and father, their household and mates on the sudden dying of Johnny and Matthew.”
Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram Johnny Gaudreau and his spouse, Meredith Gaudreau, have been married for 3 years earlier than his premature dying. Meredith was Johnny’s No. 1 fan on the ice as he performed for the Columbus Blue Jackets. “Final sport of the season tonight 🥲. Love our man a lot 💙❤️ ,” she wrote through Instagram […]
Johnny is survived by his spouse, Meredith Gaudreau, whom he wed in 2021. The pair shared daughter Noa, who turns 2 in October and son Johnny was born in February. Matthew, in the meantime, was reportedly anticipating his first youngster with spouse Madeline.
Afterward Friday, Johnny and Matthew’s uncle Jim launched an announcement on behalf of the Gaudreau household.
“Final evening we misplaced two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers in regulation, two nephews, two cousins, two members of the family, two teammates, two mates however actually two wonderful human beings,” the assertion learn. “We need to let everybody know we’re receiving your messages of affection and assist and we recognize your continued ideas and prayers.”