NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and brother killed hours before sister’s wedding

NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother, Matthew, tragically died in a bicycle accident just hours before their sister’s wedding. The Gaudreau brothers were struck by an alleged drunk driver on Thursday night at 8:19 PM in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, as they rode their bicycles. Both brothers sustained severe injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Sean Higgins, has been arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto.

The brothers were set to participate in their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding on Friday. According to Katie’s Instagram, the wedding rehearsal took place on Thursday night, just before the accident occurred. Both Johnny and Matthew were slated to be groomsmen in the ceremony, with Johnny’s children designated as the flower girl and ring bearer. Johnny’s other sister was named one of the maids of honor.

A church official confirmed to TMZ Sports that the wedding has been canceled in the wake of the tragedy. The wedding was scheduled to take place at 1:45 PM on Friday in New Jersey.

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, was a prominent player for the Columbus Blue Jackets and a beloved figure in the NHL. His brother Matthew was 29 years old.

This heartbreaking incident has left the Gaudreau family and the hockey community in mourning, as they grapple with the sudden loss of two young lives.