Player Johnny Goudreau has died.
Police in Salem County, New Jersey say the 31 year
old and his brother Matthew were killed while they were
cycling last night just around 8:20 PM.
And Linda Ward has been tracking this story through the
morning since it first broke.
Of course, some people may just be waking up to
this news this morning and we're getting a lot of
reaction into The Newsroom as well.
Plus a lot of details as well about what happened
here.
Yeah, from Salem County police, as you say.
The brothers, they say, were out riding their bikes last
night around 8:20 when there was a vehicle, a Jeep
Grand Cherokee, behind a couple of other vehicles.
The driver of that vehicle, 43 year old male from
Woodstown, NJ, tried to pass those vehicles and ended up
striking the cyclists from behind.
The driver is suspected of being under the influence of
Hall has been arrested and charged with two counts of
death by Otto.
Just such shocking and tragic news for the hockey community.
Johnny was selected by the Calgary Flames in the 2011
NHL Entry Draft.
He played eleven seasons with the NHL Calgary Flames for
the first nine arrived in Columbus two years ago.
He was the Blue Jackets top forward.
His brother Matthew, only 29 years old, also a hockey
player, played in the AHL and had taken to coaching
in the last couple of years.
So for both of these brothers, the hockey community really
just reeling today.
And you've also learned about where those two brothers were
were headed as well that evening.
That's right.
To make this all the more tragic.
We know that they there's a popular wedding website that
says that their sister Katie was having her wedding today.
And so the two brothers were listed as groomsmen in
that wedding ceremony.
So difficult.
We're learning.
He leaves behind his wife Meredith and also two young
children, Johnny and Noah.
Johnny just born in February.
The Blue Jackets saying they are shocked, They are devastated.
They've changed their their social media emblem to the number
13, which was John's number.
In that statement issued by the team today, they say
he thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could.
Of course, that was his nickname.
The impact he had on our organization in our sport
was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression
he made on and everyone who knew him.
Also, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement calling this
tragic, saying.
While Johnny's infectious spirit for the game and show stopping
skills on the ice earned him the nickname Johnny Hockey,
he was more than just a dazzling hockey player.
He was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother
and teammate who endured him as endeared himself to every
person fortunate enough to have crossed his path.
USA Hockey posted this image to their social media with
their condolences earlier today.
We have, of course, reached out that to others who
knew the brothers were gathering more reaction.
We're also gathering all the details that we can as
to the circumstances surrounding their death.
Yeah.
And we're still waiting to hear from the Flames and,
and folks in Calgary who are likely just waking up
at this early hour this morning learning about this breaking
news this morning.
But for now, Linda, thank you very much.
You're welcome.