Johnny Gaudreau was rather 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, on August 29, 2024, he handed away, each single NHL workforce on the market shared their tribute to probably the most outstanding skills on the ice.
Whereas driving bicycles close to their house in Salem County, New Jersey, Johnny and his brother Matthew have 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 demise by auto, together with reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming a*cohol in a motorcar. Nonetheless, 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 group.
In response to Puck Report NHL on X, sharing a report by the NY Publish, “Sean Higgins, the drunk driver that fatally struck Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, is preventing to have his indictment tossed, alleging that the Gaudreau brothers have been each drunker than him on the time of the lethal hit-and-run.” Now that’s a severe declare about somebody who had a ton of respect within the ice hockey group.
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The suspect offered particulars indicating that the brothers’ blood a*cohol ranges have been larger than his personal. Throughout the testing, Higgins had a blood focus degree of 0.087%, which is simply above the authorized restrict. Equally, the check revealed that Johnny Gaudreau’s degree was 0.129%, adopted by his brother, Matthew, who was at 0.134%.
Sean Higgins, the drunk driver that fatally struck Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, is preventing to have his indictment tossed, alleging that the Gaudreau brothers have been each drunker than him on the time of the lethal hit-and-run.
Higgins detailed the Gaudreau brothers’ blood alcohol…
— NHL Information (@PuckReportNHL) February 5, 2025
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However what was Higgins’ attorneys’ response to those claims? They didn’t argue within the new submitting. Certainly, the court docket papers have been clear that the 2 brothers weren’t committing something in opposition to the legislation after they obtained concerned within the crash. However did the attorneys give any assertion for this? “We consider these filings are important to making sure that our shopper’s Constitutional rights are protected and that he’s not being handled unfairly primarily based upon the quantity of publicity being garnered,” stated Higgins’ attorneys. Nonetheless, the NHL group didn’t take these claims fairly nicely.
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They united for Johnny Gaudreau and his brother
Whereas the suspect needed to show himself in court docket, the NHL group was not pleased with these disrespectful claims. Defending Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, one fan, acknowledged, “F*** off. Them being drunker doesn’t excuse him for okay*lling them.” One other fan acknowledged, “In NJ it’s not really unlawful to journey a bicycle whereas intoxicated, another states and counties it’s, so unsure if this might 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 group. And the Columbus Blue Jackets, which was Johnny’s last NHL workforce 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 all over the place he performed from Boston School 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 group when he arrived two years in the past, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We’ll miss him terribly and do the whole lot that we will to assist his household and one another via this tragedy.”
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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 fellows you mu*dered have been drunker than you despite the fact that they have been the accountable ones and never driving house whilst you have been the one drunk driving.” One other fan acknowledged, “This man is an absolute piece of s***. Johnny and Matty have been having some drinks and selected to journey bikes as a substitute of getting right into a automotive and placing others in danger. Higgins must be underneath the j*il tbh.”
The frustration from the followers is comprehensible. Beforehand, the court docket provided Higgins a plea deal, however he in the end pleaded not responsible to the fees. With the case persevering with, if he’s discovered convicted, then he will likely be serving as much as 60 years in a sentence.