Tributes and stories flow in following the death of South Jersey hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew

A quiet late-summer morning was greeted by tragedy on Friday when news broke that NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, had been killed by an alleged drunk driver overnight while riding bikes in their hometown of Salem County, N.J.

The Gaudreau brothers were graduates of Gloucester Catholic High School before they headed to Boston College, where they were teammates with former Flyer Kevin Hayes. They played professionally, with Johnny, 31, starring at the NHL level and Matthew, 29, playing minor league hockey before returning home to coach at his alma mater.

Not only was the older Gaudreau the best hockey player ever to come from the state of New Jersey — his nickname was “Johnny Hockey” — the family also has been a pillar of the community, with their father, Guy, running the local hockey rink while they were growing up. A Philly sports fan, Gaudreau reportedly came close but never wound up playing for his hometown Flyers — although he did play for the Little Flyers as a kid.

Now, a family and, to a larger degree, the entire hockey community is left asking why as it tries to make sense this tragedy. Members of that community — from locals to NHL stars to media members and others who knew them — took to social media to share their memories and pay tribute to the Gaudreau brothers.

» READ MORE: NHL star and South Jersey native Johnny Gaudreau, brother killed after being struck by vehicle while riding bicycles

Current and former Flyers, as well as others from around the league, including former teammates and more, began sharing their tributes on Friday morning. Players like Joel Farabee, Max Domi, and Pat Maroon posted Instagram stories about Gaudreau.

Former Flyers goalie Bernie Parent, like many others, shared his message on X.

But some of the toughest to read were from his former teammates, including the ex-Flyer, Hayes. Hayes, who lost his brother, Jimmy, in 2021, and Gaudreau were groomsmen in each other’s weddings.

The general manager who brought him to Columbus, Jarmo Kekalainen, shared his condolences on social media.

Those from South Jersey, where the Gaudreaus basically were the first family of hockey, also began to pay tribute. That included a memorial set up outside Holydell Ice Arena in Sewell, the local rink where Matthew and Guy Gaudreau coached and worked, not all that different from the one outside the Blue Jackets’ arena in Columbus.

» READ MORE: Mike Sielski: Johnny and Matty Gaudreau were more than hockey. They were inspirations to their South Jersey community.

The Phillies also paid tribute to the brothers ahead of Friday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves with a moment of silence.

Los Angeles Angels star and Millville native Mike Trout shared his thoughts on X.

Those in the media, including many who have covered Johnny Gaudreau, shared stories from his life, as well as his relationship with his brother.

» READ MORE: Kevin Hayes lives his late brother Jimmy’s All-Star dream as 3-year-old Beau steals the show

Some wanted him to be remembered for the family he leaves behind.

Others simply were left speechless by the news.

Although Gaudreau never played for the Flyers, the team considered him family as he grew up playing in its youth program. The Flyers, along with Gaudreau’s past teams — Boston College, the Flames, where he spent the first nine seasons of his career, the Blue Jackets, and even Team USA — paid tribute to the brothers from South Jersey.