The hockey world was not alone in sending immediate and heartfelt condolences following the announcement that Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau died when, according to police, they were hit by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey.
NBA star LeBron James, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Columbus' Major League Soccer team also quickly added their voices to the list of mourners.
Reactions to the deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau:
鈥淛ohnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.鈥� 鈥�
Columbus Blue Jackets statement on the passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew.
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL)
Former Blue Jackets general manager , "I am deeply saddened by the news I received late last night. R.I.P. Johnny and Matthew, fine young men with beautiful family that seemed so close鈥one way too soon. My condolences to the Gaudreau family and strength in their sorrow. This is devastating."
I am deeply saddened by the news I received late last night. R.I.P. Johnny and Matthew, fine young men with beautiful family that seemed so close鈥one way too soon. My condolences to the Gaudreau family and strength in their sorrow. This is devastating.
— Jarmo Kekalainen (@jkekalainen)
鈥淚t was our privilege to call Johnny our teammate for nine amazing years in Calgary. He 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. The pain we feel for Johnny鈥檚 wife Meredith, children Noa & Johnny, parents Jane & Guy, sisters Kristen & Katie, and the entire Gaudreau family is immense. Ownership, management, players, and staff of the Flames express our heartfelt sympathies during their time of sorrow." 鈥�
It鈥檚 with great sadness, we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau.
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames)
Our hearts are broken by this devastating loss. Johnny was and always will be a member of the Flames family and loved by all of Calgary.
"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." 鈥�
Insane man! 馃う馃従鈥嶁檪锔� . I instantly got so down馃様and sad馃ズ 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. 馃檹馃従馃檹馃従馃檹馃従馃檹馃従
— LeBron James (@KingJames)
鈥淛ust devastating news for all of us connected with the Gaudreau family. Both Matty and Johnny were terrifically admired by all of us. Wonderful young guys, and they impressed a lot of us off ice. Everybody knows how gifted they were on ice, especially Johnny 鈥� an all-world type of Olympic player and college all-star. They left tremendous impressions on all of us. We鈥檒l miss the hockey exploits they always had with us but more important how they were as young guys.鈥� 鈥� former Boston College coach Jerry York.
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鈥淲hile Johnny鈥檚 infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname 鈥楯ohnny Hockey,鈥� 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.鈥� 鈥�
Commissioner Bettman Statement on the Passing of Johnny Gaudreau.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL)
"Our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, whose lives ended way too soon. Words cannot appropriately express the sorrow the hockey community is feeling today." 鈥�
Our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, whose lives ended way too soon. Words cannot appropriately express the sorrow the hockey community is feeling today.
— USA Hockey (@usahockey)
"The news this morning on Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau is simply heartbreaking. Johnny was a New Jersey legend 鈥� so much so that when I went on a Canadian trade mission as Governor I was given a Flames Gaudreau jersey. He was NJ. Our heart goes out to the Gaudreau family. Simply awful." 鈥�
The news this morning on Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau is simply heartbreaking. Johnny was a New Jersey legend鈥攕o much so that when I went on a Canadian trade mission as Governor I was given a Flames Gaudreau jersey. He was NJ. Our heart goes out to the Gaudreau family. Simply awful.
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie)
鈥淛ohnny consistently displayed his passion for hockey, our City and the fans, and we mourn this tragic loss alongside his loved ones and our Blue Jackets brethren.鈥� 鈥�
Our hearts are with the Gaudreau Family, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Columbus community 馃挋
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew)
鈥淭hroughout all of their success in the hockey world, both continued to give back to the community. Johnny and Matthew, as well as the entire Gaudreau family, have made a sizable difference in the lives of so many in the Philadelphia area to learning and growing to love the sport of hockey. ... Johnny and Matthew were, and always will be, beloved and cherished members of the Flyers community and entire hockey world.鈥� 鈥� noting the Gaudreau family's ties to that city.
The Philadelphia Flyers are heartbroken to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers)
鈥淭he entire BC community is stunned by the tragic news. Johnny Gaudreau was not only one of the greatest players but also one of the nicest. Matthew was a gifted player & beloved by teammates. Our prayers are with the Gaudreau family at this time of unimaginable loss.鈥� 鈥�
The entire聽BC community is stunned聽by the tragic news. Johnny Gaudreau was not only one of the聽greatest players but also one of the nicest.聽Matthew was a gifted player & beloved by teammates. Our prayers are with the聽Gaudreau family at this time of unimaginable loss.
— Boston College (@BostonCollege)
鈥淛ohnny played each game with joy and his love for the game of hockey was felt by all those who watched. Our hearts are with the Gaudreau family, their friends, and everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him on and off the ice.鈥� 鈥�
The Penguins extend our deepest condolences to the Gaudreau family on the passing of Johnny and his brother, Matthew, whose lives were taken far too soon.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins)
Johnny played each game with joy and his love for the game of hockey was felt by all those who watched.
Our hearts are with鈥�
鈥淐ommonly known as 鈥楯ohnny Hockey鈥� for his dazzling play on the ice, his life off the ice included being a loving husband, father, son, brother, and a friend to so many. Much like his brother, Matthew shared that same love for the game of hockey, his wife, family, and friends. Matt鈥檚 hockey career brought him to Boston College, and numerous teams in the AHL and ECHL. We send our deepest condolences to Johnny鈥檚 wife Meredith and their children, Matthew鈥檚 wife Madeline, parents Guy and Jane, sisters Kristen and Katie, the Blue Jackets organization, and all teammates of both Johnny and Matthew during this extremely difficult time.鈥� 鈥�
The NHL Alumni Association is shocked and heartbroken to learn that Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew have passed away.
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni)
Johnny was drafted 104th overall in the 2011 Entry Draft to the , where he would spend the first 9 seasons of his career. He then joined the鈥�
鈥淪o incredibly sad.鈥� 鈥�
Thoughts and prayers to the Gaudreau family. So incredibly sad.
— TJ Oshie (@TJOshie77)
"There are no words, please pray hard for their Families." 鈥�
There are no words, please pray hard for their Families馃檹馃徎
— Bernie Parent (@bernieparent)
Rest In Peace鈥�
鈥淛ohnny 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. He enjoyed a decorated college career at Boston College where he played together with his brother, Matthew, who also went on to play professional hockey in the AHL and ECHL. The players and staff of the NHLPA are devastated by these terrible losses." 鈥�
The players and staff of the NHLPA are devastated by the terrible losses of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, and we express our sincerest condolences to the entire Gaudreau family.
— NHLPA (@NHLPA)
Statement from NHLPA Executive Director, Marty Walsh:
