A memorial for Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau will be held at their New Jersey high school Friday, a week after they were hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver.
A “Quiet Night of Remembrance” will be held at Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester City from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, the school wrote on social media alongside a photo of the brothers in their childhood hockey jerseys.
The event, which will be held in the school’s gymnasium, is “open to the Gloucester Catholic Family and all residents of the Tri-State area to provide an opportunity for all to pay tribute to Johnny and Matt,” the school noted.
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver last Thursday while bicycling in Salem County, NJ — a day before they were to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding.
“Johnny and Matt truly loved Gloucester Catholic, and the entire Gaudreau family have always been loyal and dedicated supporters,” the school wrote, saying it was “devastated by the sudden and unspeakable losses” of the “beloved alumni.”
“Along with their incredible talents on the ice, they will be remembered even more by our GC family as loving sons, brothers, fathers, husbands, friends and role models.”
The driver — identified by cops as Sean Higgins — is alleged to have driven under the influence and was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto for striking the two brothers with his car.
Higgins allegedly tried to pass two slow-moving vehicles when he hit the brothers while they were riding their bikes.
The brothers were set to serve as groomsmen the next day at their sister’s wedding, which was postponed over the tragedy.
Thousands of fans have attended vigils across the US and Canada in the past week to honor the brothers.
Johnny played with the Calgary Flames for nine seasons before he signed a seven-year deal with the Blue Jackets in July 2022 while his brother Matthew spent time playing for the New York Islanders’ affiliate during his pro career.
