NHL Player, ex-Fighting Saint, Johnny Gaudreau killed in accident
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KWWL) — Columbus Blue Jackets forward and former Dubuque Fighting Saint Johnny Gaudreau passed away Thursday.
The National Hockey League confirmed Gaudreau’s passing Friday morning. The league confirmed Gaudreau’s brother, Matthew also died.
The Dubuque Fighting Saints released the statement below on their Facebook page following the tragic news.
Gaudreau was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2013 after three seasons with Boston College. Before then, Gaudreau skated for a season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, helping them claim the Clark Cup in the 2010-2011 season.
Gaudreau, 31, played for nine seasons in Calgary before moving to Columbus in 2022. He had a decorated career including the 2011 USHL Rookie of the Year Award, the Hobey Baker Award, and finishing third in 2014/15 NHL Rookie of the Year voting.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement offering condolences to Gaudreau’s family.