The hockey world stopped spinning on August 29, 2024. One minute, fans were checking training camp rosters and looking forward to the NHL preseason, and the next, a localized rumor out of Salem County, New Jersey, started spiraling into a nightmare. It didn't seem real. It felt like some cruel internet prank because the details were too heartbreaking to be true. Johnny Gaudreau—the guy they called "Johnny Hockey"—and his younger brother Matthew were gone.
They weren't just hockey players. They were sons, brothers, and soon-to-be groomsmen. In fact, they were back home in Oldmans Township because their sister, Katie, was supposed to get married the very next day. Instead of a wedding, the family ended up planning a double funeral.
The night everything changed for the Gaudreau family
The specifics of what happened to the Gaudreau brothers are as frustrating as they are devastating. It was around 8:19 p.m. on a Thursday night. Johnny and Matthew were out for a bike ride on County Route 551. It’s a rural road, the kind where you’d expect a quiet evening breeze, not a life-altering tragedy. They were riding north, staying close to the side of the road, just enjoying the evening before the chaos of a wedding weekend.
Then came Sean M. Higgins.
According to the New Jersey State Police, Higgins was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee in the same direction. He wasn't just driving; he was frustrated. He came up behind a sedan and a mid-size SUV that were slowing down and moving left to safely pass the cyclists. Higgins, apparently losing his patience, tried to whip around the slower vehicles on the right.
That’s when he hit them.
The impact killed both brothers instantly. When police arrived, the scene was horrific. Higgins allegedly admitted to consuming "five or six beers" prior to the accident. He failed field sobriety tests. He was charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
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It was a senseless, preventable act. One man's impatience and intoxication erased two lives that meant so much to the sport and, more importantly, to a tight-knit family in South Jersey.
Why Johnny and Matthew meant so much to the community
Most people know Johnny. He was the superstar. Despite being only 5'9" (and that's being generous with the skates on), he dominated the NHL. He won the Hobey Baker Award at Boston College and became the face of the Calgary Flames before signing a massive contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022. He played with a joy that was infectious. He wasn't the biggest guy on the ice, but he was often the smartest.
But you can't talk about Johnny without Matthew.
They were a duo. Always. They played together at Boston College. Matthew carved out his own professional career in the AHL and ECHL before returning home to coach. He was the head coach at Gloucester Catholic High School, their alma mater. He was the guy on the ground, teaching the next generation of Jersey kids how to play the game.
At the time of his death, Matthew’s wife, Madeline, was pregnant with their first child, a son named Tripp. The community rally around her was immediate. A GoFundMe set up to support her and the baby raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in just a few days. People weren't just donating because they liked hockey; they were donating because the Gaudreaus were the kind of people who actually showed up for others.
The ripple effect across the NHL and beyond
The league-wide mourning was unlike anything we've seen since the Humboldt Broncos bus crash or the passing of Kobe Bryant. It wasn't just the Blue Jackets or the Flames who felt it. Every single locker room had a "Johnny story."
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In Calgary, a massive memorial grew outside the Scotiabank Saddledome. Thousands of sticks, jerseys, and purple Skittles—Johnny’s favorite snack—were piled high. Fans sat on the concrete and cried. It wasn't just about losing a 100-point scorer. It was about losing a guy who chose to spend his summers in Jersey, hanging out at the same pizza shops he went to as a kid.
Legal updates and the search for justice
The legal process for Sean Higgins has been slow and painful for the family to watch. He appeared in court via video, looking disheveled, and at one point seemed frustrated by the length of the proceedings, a detail that didn't sit well with the public. He remains in custody as the judicial system grinds forward.
The tragedy has reignited massive debates about two major issues:
- Drunk Driving Laws: New Jersey has some of the strictest laws in the country, but this case has many calling for even harsher penalties for repeat offenders or those involved in multi-fatality accidents.
- Cyclist Safety: The "Move Over" laws and the general culture of aggressive driving in rural areas have come under heavy scrutiny.
Honestly, it’s a wake-up call. We share the road with people who have families waiting for them at home. Whether it's a professional athlete or a kid on a BMX bike, the margin for error when a car is involved is zero.
A legacy that won't fade
The Columbus Blue Jackets honored Johnny in a way that moved everyone to tears during their home opener. They raised a banner with his number 13. When the puck dropped, they only lined up four players. The left-wing spot—Johnny’s spot—remained empty for 13 seconds. The referee didn't drop the puck. The crowd just chanted "Johnny Hockey" until the clock ticked down.
It was a perfect tribute to a guy who lived for the game but loved his family more.
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Matthew’s legacy continues through the scholarship funds and the baby he never got to meet. His impact on New Jersey hockey is permanent. You can't go to a rink in the tri-state area right now without seeing a "Gaudreau Strong" sticker or a number 13 or 21 jersey hanging in the rafters.
Actionable ways to honor their memory
If you want to do more than just read about the tragedy, there are real, tangible ways to support the causes the Gaudreau family cares about and to ensure something like this doesn't happen again.
Support the Matthew Gaudreau Baby Tripp Fund
The GoFundMe is still active and serves as the primary way to ensure Matthew’s son has the resources he needs growing up. It’s a direct way to help a widow who lost her husband just months before her due date.
Advocate for Safer Roads
Contact your local representatives to support "Complete Streets" initiatives. These are urban and rural planning designs that prioritize the safety of pedestrians and cyclists over the speed of motorized vehicles.
Never Drive Under the Influence
It sounds like a cliché until it isn't. Use rideshare apps. Call a friend. If you’re at a wedding or a party, keep an eye on your buddies. Sean Higgins allegedly thought he was fine to drive. He wasn't. Two families are destroyed because of that one wrong assumption.
Donate to the John & Matthew Gaudreau Foundation
The family has funneled much of the public support into foundations that help underprivileged youth get into hockey. Johnny always believed that the game should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their size or their bank account.
Practice the "13 Seconds" Rule
Take a beat before you act out of road rage. If you’re stuck behind a slow car, wait. Those few seconds of frustration are nothing compared to the lifetime of regret that comes from a reckless maneuver.
The story of the Gaudreau brothers is a reminder of how fragile life is. They were at the peak of their lives, surrounded by family, preparing for a celebration. It serves as a stark lesson that our choices on the road have permanent consequences for people we've never met.