Tributes pour in from across the hockey world after shocking deaths of Gaudreau brothers

Tributes for NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother streamed in Friday as the star forward's death left the hockey community reeling. 

Johnny, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were killed Thursday night when they were hit by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey, police said Friday.

Johnny "was more than just a dazzling hockey player," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement. "He was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path."

Johnny leaves behind two young children and his wife Meredith.

"Johnny Hockey," as he was known, has played 11 professional seasons in the league and was going into his third with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets mourned his loss in a statement on X.

He played his first nine seasons with the Calgary Flames, a tenure that included becoming one of the sport's top players and a fan favourite across North America. 

"It's with great sadness, we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau," the Flames said in a post on social media platform X. "Our hearts are broken by this devastating loss. Johnny was and always will be a member of the Flames family and loved by all of Calgary."

"Completely gutted. The world just lost one of the best," Flames forward Blake Coleman posted on the social media site X. "RIP Johnny."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a post on X, "Johnny Gaudreau may have come up from the States, but hockey fans in Calgary, and across Canada, will remember him as one of our own."

"Thinking of his teammates, friends, and the Gaudreau family today."

USA Hockey said: "Words cannot appropriately express the sorrow the hockey community is feeling."

Prominent basketball and baseball players sent their condolences to the Gaudreau family.

"My thoughts and prayers goes out to the Gaudreau family. May Johnny and Matthew fly high, guide/guard and bless their family/s from the heavens above," NBA star LeBron James, who grew up in Akron, Ohio, said on social media.

"Devastated by the loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Sending my deepest condolences and love to their family," said MLB star Mike Trout.