Kristen Hayes, widow of late NHL star Jimmy Hayes, reacts to the deaths of Jimmy’s former teammate Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau.
Kristen shared a photo of Jimmy — who died at his home in Massachusetts in August 2021 — posing with Johnny on her Instagram Stories on Friday, August 30 after New Jersey State Police confirmed the deaths of the Gaudreau brothers.
“Unthinkable news this morning. Heartbroken. No words,” Kristen wrote in her post, adding a broken heart emoji. The photo Kristen shared on her stories was originally posted by him The curfew is missing podcast account, which Jimmy ran before his death.
Jimmy and Johnny played in college in Boston, where both late hockey stars made their names before being drafted into the NHL.
Jimmy’s brother, Kevin Hayes, became close friends with Johnny. Jerry York, who coached both Gaudreau brothers at Boston College, told The Athletic that Johnny “spent nights” at the Hayes family home in Massachusetts after forming a “close relationship.”
In a video shared by Kevin from his wedding in 2023, Johnny looked like the life of the party as he excitedly sang and danced with the attendees.
Kevin also commemorated Johnny’s death on his Instagram Stories, writing: “I love you John! Say hi to Beau’s dad for me.”
Kristen Hayes posts about the loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
Kristen Hayes/Instagram
Jimmy died in August 2021, just three months after he and Kristen had their son Beau. A report later confirmed that Jimmy had cocaine and fentanyl in his system at the time of his death.
He played seven seasons in the NHL, playing for the Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils and his hometown team, the Boston Bruins, for whom he played from 2015 to 2017.
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Johnny and Matthew were killed on August 29 by a suspected drunk driver in New Jersey. The brothers were riding their bikes on County Route 551 North just after 8:00 PM EST when the accident happened.
The driver has been identified as Sean M. Higgins. He was charged with two counts of vehicular death and arrested, and the investigation is ongoing, police said.
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Johnny Gaudreau of the Blue Jackets.
Jason Mowry/Getty
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Johnny’s team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, issued a statement Friday, saying, “The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy.”
The team continued: “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more importantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noah and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.”
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more importantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noah and Johnny, to his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew,” the statement read.
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Source: HIS Education