Key Takeaways
- Unconfirmed reports claim Johnny Gaudreau passed away in a NJ bicycle accident.
- The speculation began from an uncertain tweet by an X user.
- Gaudreau had a notable career with the Flames and Blue Jackets and excelled in NCAA and international play.
Rumors are circulating that Johnny Gaudreau, an American professional ice hockey winger, passed away in a bicycle accident in New Jersey, but this is not confirmed yet.
The news of his tragic accident originated from an X user, who began the now-deleted tweet with “I’m not 100% sure.” The rumor spread quickly despite the absence of concrete proof.
Hopefully Johnny Gaudreau wasn't involved. Yes he is from Salem, NJ, where we cyclists were hit by a car and died, but the original rumour is that he was in Philadelphia at the time.
— Bobby Hill (@_thats_my_purse) August 30, 2024
Granted New Jersey and Philly are only ~1 apart so that doesn't necessarily mean too much… pic.twitter.com/g98OVrzMTv
With this, reports of his tragic d*ath are trending on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit right now.
In the Reddit thread, a user posted regarding his departure. The question reads:
Has Johnny Gaudreau passed away?
In the response, one comment:
Naturally I hope Gaudreau is OK but regardless it’s a very sad night for the families of two people and no less sad if they’re people we’ve never heard of before.
While another one commented:
Oh my. And there is a rumour it was both brothers. I can’t even fathom what that family is going through if this turns out to be real.
According to 6abc Action News, two bicyclists were hit and k*lled by a driver on Thursday, October 29, 2024, in Salem County, New Jersey.
Authorities said the accident occurred at the intersection of Auburn Road and Stumpy Lane in Pedricktown after 8 p.m., where two adult bicyclists were struck and k*lled.
The New Jersey State Police report that the driver stayed at the scene but have not yet determined if they will file any charges.
The authorities have not immediately released the victims’ identities.
After this, one X user commented:
Johnny Hockey or not, RIP to those who have passed.
Meanwhile, another user reached out to New Jersey State Police and shared the tweet:
Spoke with the New Jersey State Police and was informed they are getting bombarded with phone calls and cannot release any information at this time. Basically they can not confirm or deny the rumor that Johnny Gaudreau has passed.
After the rumors surfaced, Wikipedia switched his profile to past tense but has not confirmed his date of demise.
Amid rumors of his accident and d*ath, speculation overshadows his career achievements, raising concerns about how false reports impact an athlete’s reputation.
A Glimpse Into Johnny Gaudreau’s NHL Career
Johnny Gaudreau started his hockey journey in the 2010-2011 season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League (USHL).
In the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Gaudreau was selected by the Calgary Flames as the 104th overall pick in the 4th round.
His entry into NCAA hockey at Boston College began a stellar collegiate career.
Choosing Boston College over Northeastern, he quickly became a key player, leading the Eagles to the National Championship and Beanpot Tournament.
During his sophomore and junior years, he led in scoring, won Hockey East Player of the Year, and received the Hobey Baker Award in 2014.
After his NCAA success, Gaudreau signed an entry-level contract with the Flames on April 11, 2014, and quickly made his mark in the NHL.
He debuted for the Flames in their last 2013–14 game against the Vancouver Canucks, scoring their only goal on his first shot.
Over the following seasons, he emerged as a top Flames player, with multiple All-Star nods and leading in scoring.
On October 10, 2016, Gaudreau signed a six-year contract valued at $40.5 million, with an annual salary of $6.75 million.
He had his best season in 2018–19, finishing with a career-high 99 points, 36 goals, and 63 assists.
On July 13, 2022, Gaudreau committed to a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, earning $9.75 million per year.
Despite the team’s struggles with injuries and performance issues, his excellent play earned him a place in the 2023 All-Star Game.
Even with the challenging season, he confirmed his dedication to the team, saying: “I don’t have any second thoughts. I love it here.”
Gaudreau has represented the United States in several international tournaments, earning a gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championships and a bronze at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
Notably, he also competed in the 2019 IIHF World Championship and played for Team North America in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Johnny Gaudreau, born on August 13, 1993, is from Salem, New Jersey, U.S. His parents are Guy and Jane Gaudreau.
- His younger brother Matthew is a professional hockey player who currently plays for the Reading Royals in the ECHL.
- After settling in southern New Jersey, he spent 11 years coaching hockey at Gloucester Catholic.
