NHL Group Unite to Defend Johnny Gaudreau Over Suspect’s Defaming Declare

Johnny Gaudreau was way more than an NHL star. He was a loving husband and father to his spouse and youngsters and greater than only a teammate to his fellow ice hockey gamers on the rink. When he handed away on August 29, 2024, each single NHL crew on the market shared their tribute to one of the vital distinguished abilities on the ice.

Whereas using bicycles close to their residence in Salem County, New Jersey, Johnny and his brother Matthew had been struck by a drunk driver who goes by Sean Higgins, and following the incident, they handed away. The suspect was charged with two counts of loss of life by auto, together with reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming a*cohol in a motorized vehicle. Nevertheless, the story has taken a brand new flip as Higgins not too long ago accused the brothers, a declare that sparked intense criticism from the NHL neighborhood.

In line with Puck Report NHL on X, sharing a report by the NY Put up, “Sean Higgins, the drunk driver that fatally struck Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, is combating to have his indictment tossed, alleging that the Gaudreau brothers had been each drunker than him on the time of the lethal hit-and-run.” Now that’s a critical declare about somebody who had a ton of respect within the ice hockey neighborhood.

The suspect offered particulars indicating that the brothers’ blood a*cohol ranges had been increased than his personal. In the course of the testing, Higgins had a blood focus degree of 0.087%, which is simply above the authorized restrict. Equally, the take a look at revealed that Johnny Gaudreau’s degree was 0.129%, adopted by his brother, Matthew, who was at 0.134%.

However what was Higgins’ attorneys’ response to those claims? They didn’t argue within the new submitting. Certainly, the courtroom papers had been clear that the 2 brothers weren’t committing something in opposition to the legislation once they received concerned within the crash. However did the attorneys give any assertion for this? “We consider these filings are important to making sure that our consumer’s Constitutional rights are protected and that he’s not being handled unfairly primarily based upon the quantity of publicity being garnered,” mentioned Higgins’ attorneys. Nevertheless, the NHL neighborhood didn’t take these claims fairly effectively.

They united for Johnny Gaudreau and his brother

Whereas the suspect wished to show himself in courtroom, the NHL neighborhood was not pleased with these disrespectful claims. Defending Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, one fan said, “F*** off. Them being drunker doesn’t excuse him for okay*lling them.” One other fan said, “In NJ it’s not really unlawful to experience a bicycle whereas intoxicated, another states and counties it’s, so unsure if this may assist him (I hope not).” Equally, this remark learn, “What a chunk of s***. I hope Higgins rots in pr*son. Sc*mbag.”

This incident shocked lots of people within the ice hockey neighborhood. And the Columbus Blue Jackets, which was Johnny’s remaining NHL crew, shared their tribute, stating, “Johnny performed the sport with nice pleasure which was felt by everybody that noticed him on the ice. He introduced a real love for hockey with him in all places he performed from Boston Faculty to the Calgary Flames to Workforce USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled followers in a method solely Johnny Hockey may. The influence he had on our group and our sport was profound, however pales compared to the indelible impression he made on everybody who knew him. Johnny embraced our neighborhood when he arrived two years in the past, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We’ll miss him terribly and do every thing that we will to help his household and one another by way of this tragedy.”

Certainly, it was a difficult time for many, and the assertion from Sean Higgins solely fueled the fireplace among the many followers, as one remark learn, “Think about utilizing that as a protection. The blokes you mu*dered had been drunker than you though they had been the accountable ones and never driving residence whilst you had been the one drunk driving.” One other fan said, “This man is an absolute piece of s***. Johnny and Matty had been having some drinks and selected to experience bikes as a substitute of getting right into a automobile and placing others in danger. Higgins must be below the j*il tbh.”

The frustration from the followers calling for justice for Johnny Gaudreau is comprehensible. Beforehand, the courtroom supplied Higgins a plea deal, however he in the end pleaded not responsible to the costs. With the case persevering with, if he’s discovered convicted, then he might be serving as much as 60 years in a sentence.