Johnny Gaudreau's Former Teammates Mourn the Late NHL Star During Vigil: ‘We Just Miss Him So Much’

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames held vigils for the late Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau on Wednesday night

Columbus Blue Jackets players and fans gathered outside the team’s arena on Wednesday night to remember the late Johnny Gaudreau, the longtime NHL star who died last Thursday alongside his brother Matthew Gaudreau in a bicycle crash in New Jersey.

Johnny was 31. His brother Matthew was 29.

According to the Associated Press, around 1,000 fans and members of the Blue Jackets organization were in attendance for the candlelight vigil, which included remarks from Gaudreau’s teammates and a 13-minute, 21-second period of silence in honor of Johnny, who wore No. 13, and Matthew, who wore No. 21 during his professional career.

Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson, who also played with Johnny on the Calgary Flames before both later joined Columbus, told stories about his longtime teammate, at times becoming emotional as he recalled their careers together.

“Our hearts are shattered in a million pieces,” Gudbranson, 32, told the crowd. “Johnny was an amazing teammate and an amazing friend.”

Gudbranson shared stories about having dinner with the Gaudreau family, teasing Johnny about being late to team meetings and about how he was always rushing home after games — something Gudbranson now realizes was because he wanted to go be with his family.

Related: Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's Family Speaks Out After Their Deaths: We Lost 'Two Amazing Humans'

Johnny and his wife Meredith Gaudreau shared two children: daughter Noa, who turns 2 in October, and son Johnny, who is 7 months old.

“A little thing I always did with John is I’d pick him up and give him a bear hug, and I wouldn’t let him down until he told me he loved me,” Gudbranson remembered. “And he wouldn’t tell me for a long time. But I know up here today that it was because he enjoyed the hugs. We just miss him so much.”

Gudbranson shook his head as he said “it’s wrong” that Johnny and his brother Matthew are gone.

Related: Katie Gaudreau Says Late Brothers Johnny and Matthew Will Be 'Dancing and Celebrating' at Her Postponed Wedding

Johnny's Blue Jackets teammates Cole Sillinger, Zach Werenski and others from the team organization also spoke at the event. Team captain Boone Jenner told the audience gathered outside the stadium that Johnny was “more than just a teammate” to those around him.

“He was an amazing hockey player who played with such passion and joy every time he took the ice,” Jenner said, at times moving away from the microphone to compose himself. “He carried that same joy off the ice. He was such a fun guy to be around. He had that smile that could just cheer you up no matter what.”

Related: Donations to Matthew Gaudreau’s Widow and Unborn Son Reach Over $550K After His Death

The Calgary Flames also held a vigil for Johnny on Wednesday night. The 11-year NHL veteran made his NHL debut with the Flames in 2013 and played with the franchise until 2022, when he joined Columbus.

Mikael Backlund, who was Johnny's teammate on the Flames throughout his entire tenure with the team, recalled that the late NHL star "always had a smile" on and off the ice.

"I'm going to miss that smile," Backlund said, choking back tears, and sharing memories of their families spending time together.

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The brothers died after an alleged drunk driver crashed into them while biking in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, near their hometown of Salem County, New Jersey. State police told PEOPLE last week that the driver attempted to pass another car and fatally hit the brothers. The driver, Sean M. Higgins, was charged with two counts of death by auto and arrested, and the investigation is ongoing, police said. Higgins is being held in custody without bond, jail records show.

Johnny and Matthew were in town to serve as groomsmen for their sister Katie’s wedding, set to take place the next day.

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