Katie Gaudreau shared a moving tribute to her big brothers, Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau, after their tragic deaths when they were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver while cycling in Salem County, N.J., last Thursday — the day before her wedding.
“To know these two was to love these two,” she wrote Monday on Instagram, including a photo of their family. “There are absolutely no words I have to express the bond my family shared.
“The entire world knows there would never have been a John without Matty or Matty without John. The absolute best big brothers a little girl could have asked for.
“This will never be a goodbye post because I will never stop saying your names and honoring you both. I’ll take the best care of mom, dad, Kristen, Mer, and Madeline, your babies.
Katie and her fiancé, hockey player Devin Joyce, canceled their wedding, which was set to take place in Gloucester City, N.J., on Friday, Aug.30, Page Six confirmed.
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were set to serve as groomsmen and their other sister, Kristen Venello, was going to be a maid of honor.
Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, N.J., suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto.
Police said Higgins had attempted to pass two slow-moving vehicles and hit the siblings from behind while they were riding their bikes.
Johnny leaves behind his wife Meredith, his children, Noa, almost 2, and Johnny, six months.
Meredith shared a number of tributes on Instagram, including photos of their family.
Follow the NY Post’s coverage on NHL star Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic death at 31:
- Johnny Gaudreau’s brother Matthew was a dad-to-be when the siblings were killed by alleged drunk driver
- Johnny Gaudreau’s wife honors NHL star with moving tribute after devastating alleged drunk driver crash: ‘Best years of my life’
- Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, brother struck and killed by car while riding bikes a day before sister’s wedding: ‘Unimaginable tragedy’
Matthew’s wife Madeline Gaudreau is pregnant with the couple’s first child, “Baby Tripp,” due this December, her sister wrote in a GoFundMe post.
The GoFundMe passed $500,000 late Monday morning.
Johnny played with the Calgary Flames for nine seasons before he signed a seven-year deal with the Blue Jackets in July 2022.
Matthew was also a hockey player, having most recently played for the Worcester Railers.
