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Pittsburgh Penguins' Kevin Hayes is mourning the loss of his best friend, Johnny Gaudreau, and Johnny's younger brother, Matt. The Gaudreau brothers were tragically killed in New Jersey while riding their bicycles.
They were hit by a suspected drunken driver a day before they were supposed to serve as groomsmen at their sister Katie's wedding.
The accident happened on Thursday evening in Oldmans Township. A 43-year-old man named Sean M. Higgins was driving an SUV when he tried to pass two other cars. He hit Johnny and Matt from behind, killing them both instantly.
Hayes, who has many fond memories with Gaudreau, shared his grief on Instagram. In his post, Hayes expressed his deep sadness and the irreplaceable loss.
"I can’t fathom the fact that I cannot call John again. He was the most humble, grounded, funniest, stubborn superstar I have ever seen. He was always told he was too small and used it to become the best. He was the best friend, father, husband, brother, son and teammate we all could ask for."
"It’s impossible to express how much you guys will be missed. The world will not be the same without the Gaudreau brothers. Till we meet again"
Kevin Hayes talked about his 14-year friendship with Johnny Gaudreau, which started at Boston College. Hayes remembered how the Gaudreau family brought joy into his life.
He shared photos of them, including from his wedding. Hayes praised Johnny's humility, determination, and talent, which made him a top NHL player. He also expressed support for the Gaudreau family and asked for continued prayers during this tough time.
Kevin Hayes earlier paid tribute to Johnny Gaudreau on Instagram
Before this, on August 30, 2024, Kevin Hayes also shared a tribute on Instagram after Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic death. Hayes posted a photo of Gaudreau with his nephew, Beau, captioning it:
"Love you John! Say hello to Beau’s Dad for me."
This was in memory of his brother, Jimmy Hayes, who died in 2021. The deaths of Johnny and Matt have deeply affected those who knew them. Fans left flowers and hockey sticks at Nationwide Arena in Columbus and the Calgary Flames' rink. Moments of silence were held at a baseball game in Cincinnati and an Olympic hockey qualifier in Slovakia.
