Former Dubuque Fighting Saint Johnny Gaudreu Dies In Crash In New Jersey

Columbus Blue Jackets forward and former Dubuque Fighting Saint Johnny Gaudreau died in a crash while bicycling in New Jersey Thursday. Gaudreau was 31. New Jersey State Police said Gaudreau and his younger brother, 29 year old Matthew Gaudreau were bicycling together and both were killed by a car in Salem County, New Jersey. They were both in the area for their sister Katie’s wedding scheduled for today in Philadelphia. Gaudreau was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2013 after three seasons with Boston College. Before then, Gaudreau skated for a season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, helping them claim the Clark Cup in the 2010-2011 season. He earned the nickname, “Johnny Hockey” while playing for the Fighting Saints. According to police, the Gaudreau brothers were cycling on a road when a man driving in the same direction attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck them from behind. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the driver, Sean Higgins, was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and charged with two counts of death by auto and jailed at the Salem County Correctional Facility.