Gaudreau, along with his brother Matthew, passed away Thursday after the two were struck by a suspected drunk driver while bicycling in New Jersey, ESPN.com reports.
Gaudreau was an elite collegiate player at Boston College, winning a national championship in 2012 with the Eagles and following that up with the Hobey Baker Award as the nation's top college player in 2014. Selected by the Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Gaudreau would spend nine seasons in Calgary, racking up 210 goals and 399 assists in 602 outings before joining the Blue Jackets ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. All told, the 2017 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner compiled 743 points in 763 regular-season contests while adding another 33 points in 42 postseason outings. Gaudreau leaves behind his wife, Meredith, and their two kids, Noa and Johnny.