The hockey world mourns the losses of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau

Shockwaves were sent through the hockey world on Friday morning. While riding their bikes the night before their sisters' wedding on Thursday, Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother, Matthew, were hit by a suspected drunk driver in New Jersey, ending their lives prematurely. Johnny was 31 years old and Matthew was 29.

Johnny Gaudreau rose to prominence in the USHL, playing with the Dubuque Fighting Saints for the 2010-11 season. Gaudreau scored 36 goals and 72 points in 60 games, leading to his selection in the fourth round of the 2011 Draft by the Calgary Flames. Despite being one of the shorter players in the class, Gaudreau quickly proved that the Flames found a steal in the middle rounds.

Instead of jumping to the NHL, Gaudreau committed to Boston College University, beginning his collegiate career the following year. During his three seasons, Gaudreau did it all.

He scored 78 goals and 175 points in college, iced Boston College's national championship victory his freshman year with a beautiful backhand goal, was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker twice, and was honored as college hockey's best player in 2014.

The hockey world will miss Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau

After scoring a goal in his NHL debut at the end of the 2013-14 season, Gaudreau leaped to the Calgary Flames for good in 2014. In his rookie season, Gaudreau led all rookies with 40 assists and tied Ottawa's Mark Stone for the most points (64), finishing third in Calder voting behind Stone and Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who won the honor.

From there, Gaudreau's career flourished. He truly hit his stride during the 2018-19 season, scoring 36 goals and 99 points to finish fourth in the race for the Hart Trophy. This would tie for his best finish in Hart voting, finishing in the same spot three seasons later. In 2021-22, Gaudreau set career highs in just about every category.

Finishing tied for second in scoring, Gaudreau scored 115 points and notched his only 40-goal season. His incredible season was capped in the postseason by a Game 7 overtime-winning goal in the first round against the Dallas Stars.

A pending free agent after the 2021-22 season, Gaudreau was one of the most highly sought-after players on the market. In a move that surprised many, he opted to sign with the Blue Jackets on a seven-year deal. While his goal-scoring dipped, he still led the team in scoring in his first two seasons.

During his 11 seasons in the NHL, Gaudreau scored 243 goals and 500 assists, winning the Calder and the Lady Byng. He also represented the United States and earned gold at the World Juniors in 2013 and bronze at the World Championships in 2018.

Matthew Gaudreau's hockey career never reached the heights of his brother's, but he put together a solid college career. Following his older brother to Boston College, the younger Gaudreau scored 63 points across four seasons, including 35 points in 40 games during his senior campaign.

He spent several years in the American Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League, last playing for Worcester of the ECHL in 2021-22 before becoming a high school hockey coach at his and his brother's high school in New Jersey.

While the hockey side of their lives will be prominent in this tragic moment, the human side can't be ignored. Johnny, as evidenced by his Lady Byng win in 2017, played the game the right way.

As Patrik Laine underwent his struggles with mental health last season, his teammate stepped up and voiced his support by joining Laine's Give Back program. Stories of Matthew's kindness have been circulating the internet in light of this tragedy.

It wasn't just the hockey world that lost two brothers. It was the entire world that lost two incredible human beings.

While the hockey side of this incident can play out in the coming months, this is not a moment to look forward. It's a time to reflect and hold your loved ones tight. Our thoughts and prayers are being sent to the entire Gaudreau family.