NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau Spoke About How He Wanted to Be Remembered 2 Years Before His Tragic Death

Two years before his tragic death, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau discussed what his legacy would be in the world of hockey and in life.

In a recreated clip shared on the hftvsports Instagram page from May 2022, Johnny, 31, answered a question about what he would like to be remembered for in Calgary, Canada if he ever leaves their NHL team, the Flames.

“When my time here is over, I hope people remember me as a good person off the ice, a good teammate and just a good person,” Gaudreau, who played for the Flames from 2013-2022, said at the time.

Gaudreau, who months later agreed to join the Columbus Blue Jackets, added: “People can think what I did on the ice, but for me personally, I just want people to know how grateful I am for having me here and I hope that a few more years here and they could be stuck with me.”

His words from 2022 are especially poignant now after the deaths of him and his brother Matthew, 29, who were killed in a bicycle accident on Thursday, August 29 in Oldmans Township near Salem County, NJ

Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau in 2018.

Matty Gaudreau/instagram

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s ex-coach says ‘beside himself’ over their deaths: ‘I miss them’

The brothers returned to their hometown that weekend for their sister Katie’s Aug. 30 wedding and were to be best men. The wedding has reportedly been called off, according to TMZ.

The brothers were riding their bikes on Country Route 551 North just after 8 p.m. when a suspected drunken driver tried to pass another car and fatally struck Johnny and Matthew, New Jersey State Police told PEOPLE. The driver, Sean M. Higgins, was charged with two counts of death by auto and arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.

Higgins’ first court appearance was on August 30. A hearing on his detention is scheduled for Thursday, September 5.

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Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau in 2014.

Richard T Gagnon/Getty

Matthew is survived by his wife, Madeline, who is pregnant with their first child. Johnny’s widow, Meredith, paid two tributes to her late husband on Saturday, August 31.

“Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I’m still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so much,” she wrote in one post.

“You were perfect,” she continued. “Some days it was too good to be true. I love everything about you. You are mine forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”

In another post, Meredith praised Johnny as “the best partner to go through parenthood with.” The couple share a daughter, Noa, who turns 2 in October, and a 7-month-old son, Johnny.

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Source: HIS Education