Columbus Blue Jackets to hold candlelight vigil for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on Wednesday

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that the club will host a candlelight vigil for fans in remembrance of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on Wednesday, September 4 at Nationwide Arena.

The vigil will include brief remarks from the Blue Jackets organization, as well as 13:21 of silent remembrance reflecting the number 13 Johnny wore with the Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames and Boston College and the number 21 that Matthew wore at Boston College.

Last week police sources confirmed to Daily Faceoff that Johnny, along with his brother Matthew, were killed after being struck by a drunk driver while riding their bicycles in Salem County, N.J., outside of Philadelphia.

Johnny joined the Blue Jackets for the 2022-23 season after signing a seven-year contract, following his magical 115-point run in 2021-22 with the Calgary Flames. He was voted to his seventh All-Star Game in 2022-23 and tallied 12 goals and 48 assists in 81 games last season. Throughout his career, Johnny registered 743 points in 763 career games.

Matthew spent three seasons in the AHL with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Stockton Heat where he registered five points in 21 games. Matthew also spent time in the ECHL with the Worcester Railers, last suiting up in 2021-22. Throughout his tenure in the ECHL, he racked up 35 goals and 65 assists for 100 points in 127 games, he added three points in six ECHL playoff contests and was named the ECHL Performer of the Month for October during the 2019-20 campaign.

Johnny and Matthew’s uncle, Jim, released a statement last Friday, the day their sister was scheduled to get married. Memorials were created outside of Nationwide Arena, and the Scotiabank Saddledome, the Flames’ home arena.

According to police in New Jersey, 43-year-old Sean Higgins has been charged with two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, improper passing, as well as having an open container in his vehicle and consuming alcohol while driving. A warrant for a blood toxicology test was issued, with Higgins is being housed in Salem County Correctional Facility.