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Pascal Vincent coached Gaudreau for 2 seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier than being employed by Canadiens to educate AHL staff in Laval.
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The hockey world awoke Friday morning to the unhappy and stunning information that Columbus Blue Jackets ahead Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, had been struck and killed Thursday evening whereas driving bicycles of their house state of New Jersey.
In response to court docket paperwork acquired by TMZ Sports activities, 43-year-old Sean Higgins admitted to law enforcement officials that he slammed his Jeep Cherokee into the backs of the Gaudreau brothers on a rural street in Salem County, N.J., round 8 p.m. TMZ Sports activities reported that Higgins instructed law enforcement officials that he drank “5-6 beers” earlier than getting behind the wheel.
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TMZ Sports activities additionally reported that Higgins instructed the law enforcement officials he was trying to get round an SUV on the left, however when he thought the car made a transfer to dam him from passing he tried to get by it on its proper after which collided with the brothers on their bikes. Higgins has been arrested and is dealing with two expenses of loss of life by auto.
Johnny Gaudreau was 31 and his brother was 29.
Gaudreau would have been heading into his third season with the Blue Jackets after being traded from the Calgary Flames. He had 12-48-60 totals in 81 video games final season with Pascal Vincent as his head coach in Columbus. Vincent was an assistant coach with the Blue Jackets throughout Gaudreau’s first season in Columbus.
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The Blue Jackets fired Vincent after final season and he was then employed by the Canadiens final month to turn into head coach of the Laval Rocket, their AHL farm membership.
“I wish to lengthen my deepest condolences to the household of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau,” Vincent mentioned in a press release launched by the Canadiens and the Rocket. “This tragedy has left me speechless and in shock.
“Over time, I had the privilege of attending to know the actual Johnny Gaudreau — the individual behind the hockey participant,” Vincent added. “He was a humble and unassuming younger man with extraordinary expertise, who by no means sought to be within the highlight. As an alternative, he loved life’s easy pleasures and possessed a quiet energy of character. His ardour for the sport and distinctive hockey sense allowed him to attain greatness, but he remained grounded and true to himself.”
Gaudreau leaves behind his spouse, Meredith, and two younger kids — a daughter, Noa, and son, Johnny — who each had been born in Columbus. Matthew Gaudreau is survived by his spouse, Madeline. Each brothers are survived by their dad and mom, Jane and Gus Gaudreau, and their sisters Kristen and Katie.
Highway to the Cup
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The Columbus Publish-Dispatch reported that in line with a submit on a well-liked wedding ceremony web site, Gaudreau and his brother had been scheduled to be groomsmen of their sister Katie’s wedding ceremony Friday in Philadelphia.
“I had the pleasure of assembly his fantastic household, together with his spouse, kids, and fogeys,” Vincent mentioned in his assertion. “My ideas are with them right now. It’s an honour to have recognized not solely the unimaginable hockey participant but in addition the type and beloved individual Johnny was to everybody he met.
“Wherever we went, individuals admired him on and off the ice,” Vincent added. “Regardless of his success, he remained humble and real. Johnny, you touched so many lives together with your kindness and contagious smile. I really feel lucky to have recognized you so carefully. Your reminiscence will stick with me endlessly.
“Relaxation in peace, Johnny.”
Gaudreau and his brother each performed hockey at Boston Faculty and had been teammates for one season.
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Gaudreau was chosen by the Flames within the fourth spherical (104th total) of the 2011 NHL Draft and gained the Hobey Baker Award as the highest participant in U.S. school for the 2013-14 season after posting 36-44-80 totals in 40 video games at Boston Faculty. With the Flames, Gaudreau gained the Woman Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct mixed with a excessive normal of enjoying potential after posting 18-43-61 totals throughout the 2016-17 season together with solely 4 penalty minutes. Through the 2021-22 season with the Flames, Gaudreau completed second in NHL scoring with 40-75-115 totals, trailing solely Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, who had 44-79-123 totals.
Matthew Gaudreau was by no means chosen on the NHL Draft and had temporary stints within the AHL and ECHL after graduating from Boston Faculty. TMZ.com reported that Matthew’s spouse, Madeleine, is pregnant with their first little one with the due date Dec. 31.
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Johnny Gaudreau and the Canadiens’ Cole Caufield had been teammates on Crew USA at this yr’s IIHF World Hockey Championship, which was held in Could in Czechia.
The Canadiens additionally launched a press release Friday following the deaths of the Gaudreau brothers.
“The Canadiens household is profoundly saddened to be taught this morning of the tragic passing of brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau,” the staff assertion mentioned.
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“The group joins the complete hockey neighborhood in providing its heartfelt condolences to the household and family members of Johnny and Matthew, in addition to to their many teammates, coaches and buddies who had the privilege of figuring out and crossing paths with them throughout their inspiring hockey careers.
“The membership additionally extends its deepest condolences to all members of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames organizations throughout these tough occasions.
“To the hockey world, who has misplaced two distinctive ambassadors and people of even larger high quality, our ideas and prayers are with you. The Canadiens, as all through the NHL, mourn the lack of Johnny and Matthew.”
scowan@postmedia.com
x.com/StuCowan1
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