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Widow of Jimmy Hayes, hockey star who died in 2021, responds to Gaudreau Brothers death
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Widow of Jimmy Hayes, hockey star who died in 2021, responds to Gaudreau Brothers death

Kristen Hayes, the 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 passed away in August 2021 at his Massachusetts home, posing with Johnny to her Instagram Stories on Friday, August 30, after the Gaudreau brothers’ deaths were confirmed by New Jersey State Police.

“Unbelievable news this morning. Heartbreaking. There are no words,” Kristen wrote in her post, adding a broken heart emoji. The photo Kristen shared to her Stories was originally posted by the Missed curfew podcast account, which Jimmy hosted until he passed away.

Jimmy and Johnny played at Boston College, where both late hockey stars made names for themselves before being drafted into the NHL.

Jimmy’s brother, Kevin Hayes, became good friends with Johnny. Jerry York, who coached both Gaudreau brothers at Boston College, told The Athletic that Johnny “spent nights” with the Hayes family in Massachusetts after developing a “close bond.”

In a video Kevin shared from his 2023 wedding, Johnny seemed to be the life of the party, singing and dancing along enthusiastically with the crowd.

Kristen Hayes writes about the loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

Kristen Hayes/Instagram


Jimmy died in August 2021, just three months after he and Kristen welcomed 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, including with the Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils and his home team, the Boston Bruins, for whom he played from 2015 to 2017.

Johnny and Matthew were killed by a driver believed to be under the influence of alcohol in New Jersey on August 29. The brothers were bicycling on County Route 551 North just after 8 p.m. EST when the accident occurred.

The driver was identified as Sean M. Higgins. He was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and arrested, and the investigation is ongoing, police said.

Johnny Gaudreau of the Blue Jackets.

Jason Mowry/Getty


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Johnny’s team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, released 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 most importantly, a loving husband, 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 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 most importantly, a loving husband, 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 loss of Johnny and Matthew,” the statement said.