Hockey player Kevin Hayes paid his respects to his old friend Johnny Gaudreau.

“I love you John!” the 32-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins center wrote via his Instagram Story on Friday, August 30, alongside a throwback photo of Gaudreau and Hayes’ nephew Beau.

Kevin’s brother, fellow NHL star Jimmy Hayeswelcomed son Beau with his wife in May 2021 Kristen HayesJimmy tragically passed away three months later at the age of 31. A toxicology report later confirmed that Jimmy had cocaine and fentanyl in his system at the time of his death.

“Say hi to Beau’s dad for me,” Kevin added.

Related: Johnny Gaudreau’s Family Guide: Meet the Late NHL Star’s Wife and Kids

Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram While Johnny Gaudreau loved hockey, his family always came first. Off the ice, the NHL player enjoyed spending quality time with his wife, Meredith, and their two children, Noa and Johnny. However, tragedy struck the Gaudreau family when Johnny and his younger brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were killed while (…)

In a later post, Kevin shared a black-and-white photo of Johnny’s brother, Matthew, writing, “RIP Matty G.”

Kevin’s friendship with the Gaudreau brothers goes back to Jimmy and Johnny playing hockey at Boston College. After college, Jimmy went on to play professionally for the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and New Jersey Devils. Johnny was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2011, where he played for 11 years. He later joined the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent.

Jimmy’s widow, Kristen, also responded to the news of the Gaudreau brothers’ passing. She reshared a photo of Jimmy and Johnny with the caption, “Unbelievable news this morning. Heartbreaking. There are no words.”

On Friday, it was announced that Johnny and Matthew died after they were hit by a drunk driver on their bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on Thursday evening, August 29. Johnny was 31 and Matthew was 29.

The brothers were in Philadelphia on Friday for their sister Katie’s wedding. Both men were scheduled to be groomsmen at the ceremony.

Johnny’s current team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, confirmed his passing in a statement.

“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the franchise posted via X on Friday morning. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more importantly a loving father, son, brother and friend. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Meredith, his children Noa and Johnny, his parents, their families and friends on the sudden passing of Johnny and Matthew.”

Related: Timeline of the relationship between late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his wife Meredith

Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram Johnny Gaudreau and his wife, Meredith Gaudreau, were married for three years before his untimely passing. Meredith was Johnny’s biggest fan on the ice when he played for the Columbus Blue Jackets. “Last game of the season tonight 🥲. Love our man so much 💙❤️,” she wrote via Instagram (…)

Johnny is survived by his wife, Meredith Gaudreauwhom he married in 2021. The couple have a daughter Noa, who turns 2 in October, and a son Johnny, who was born in February. Matthew is reportedly expecting his first child with his wife Madeline.

Later on Friday, Johnny and Matthew’s uncle Jim released a statement on behalf of the Gaudreau family.

“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends, but truly two wonderful people,” the statement said. “We want everyone to know that we receive your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.”