<h2>Jets lay a beating on oilers in third preseason game</h2>RECAP:The Winnipeg Jets have got themselves into the win column. No, preseason games really don't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but at the end of the day, walking out of the rink with a 'W' certainly feels better than the other outcome.A strong opening period led the charge for a three-goal offensive explosion in the middle stanza.Through 40 minutes, the Jets held a 4-0 lead and a 27-13 advantage on the shot chart. Brad Lambert - who already had an assist on the night - picked up Winnipeg's fifth goal of the game on a third period power play. Defenceman Neal Pionk - who had a pretty goal of his own in the second period - earned his fourth point of the night as he added another helper on Lambert's tally. The Oilers eventually did find a goal on the night, but it was far too little, too late for Edmonton, which ended up dropping the game by way of a 6-1 final.HIGHLIGHTS:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839099121015124376">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839099121015124376</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839109446271905824">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839109446271905824</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839113626059145246">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839113626059145246</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839119374633795742">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839119374633795742</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839122833558954422">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839122833558954422</a>PHOTOS:The extended photo library from Wednesday's game vs. Edmonton is courtesy of Scott Stroh and James Carey Lauder:<img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01274.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01279.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01272.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01217.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01235.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01281.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/go_13i1512.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/go_13i1385.jpg">QUOTEABLE:Neal Pionk on his second period goal:"The blind squirrel finds the nut once in a while." Brad Lambert on getting into game action at the annual rookie tournament: “It was a bit of a head start, being able to play a few games there and get your feet under you. That was a main thing, just not have my first game happen at the main camp but get a few games under my belt there, which was a great. It was a lot of fun going there.”WHAT’S NEXT:The Jets hit the road for preseason game No. 4 against the Minnesota Wild on Friday night. Now 1-1-1 through three exhibition games, the Jets will likely dress a roster filled with 'bubble' players in need of a strong performance to help solidify their ranking as training camp wears on. Friday's game can be streamed live on the official website of the Winnipeg Jets.

Game On Recap: Winnipeg Jets 6 Edmonton Oilers 1

<h2>Jets go down swinging in high-scoring loss</h2>It wasn't pretty, but it wasn't a complete disaster either. On Friday night, the Jets travelled to St. Paul for a preseason clash with the Minnesota Wild... It was probably best they just stayed home.A back-and-forth first period led to a 1-1 draw through 20 minutes. But it was in the second period where the Wild completely dominated the game as the Jets fell asleep and looked on.Sure, the Wild were a more veteran-looking bunch, but Winnipeg's staff of players including Alex Iafallo, Mason Appleton, Cole Perfetti, Neal Pionk, Colin Miller, Dylan Samberg and Connor Hellebuyck certainly had some years of experience to it.It just didn't go the Jets' way in that middle stanza. Despite scoring a goal to tie the game at twos just two minutes after Minnesota pulled ahead 2-1, Winnipeg kicked its collective feet up and stood pat as the Wild piled on not four or five, but six additional goals in the frame, concluding the second period with eight total goals - seven of which were scored in that 20-minute chunk.Hellebuyck's performance looked absolutely disastrous, as the reigning Vezina Trophy winner gave up eight goals on 29 shots faced.But the key part of what appeared to be an incredibly unexpected blowout was Winnipeg's response in the third period.With Minnesota opting to take its foot off the gas pedal, the Jets got three goals in the frame, as Nikita Chibrikov scored a power play goal in the early stages, before Brayden Yager and Morgan Barron pumped back-to-back shots past Marc-Andre Fleury.The 8-5 final looked a lot better on paper thanks to a reluctant third period effort. If it weren't for some hustle and a willingness to continue fighting, things could have easily turned even uglier than they were in the middle frame.Winnipeg will now have a few days to reset as its next exhibition contest doesn't come until next Wednesday. There will be at least one round of cuts between now and then, allowing a more distinct grouping of players vying for the final roster spots to form as the regular season fast approaches.Now 1-2-1 in preseason play, the Jets will close things out with a home-and-home against the Calgary Flames next week.

Jets Blown Away, But Keep Fighting in 8-5 Loss in Minnesota

<h2>Jets Sign Perfetti to Two-Year Deal</h2>The Winnipeg Jets and 22-year-old forward Cole Perfetti have agreed on the terms surrounding a two-year contract. Perfetti, who was one of the league's final restricted free agents, did not get his wish of a long-term deal, but rather settled for a two-year contract of the 'bridge' variety, meaning he will look to prove his worth to Jets management over the next two seasons. The contract carries a $3.25 million annual average value, while the young forward will earn $3 million this year and $3.5 million in the 2025-26 season. Although beginning the 2023-24 season quite well, Perfetti's performance - and usage - dwindled over the course of the stretch run and playoffs last year. He was a healthy scratch quite often and actually sat out the team's first four postseason games, before finally drawing in for the final game of the playoffs.He put up 19 goals and another 19 assists, falling one goal short of a performance bonus on his entry-level contract, something certainly aided by former head coach Rick Bowness' favour towards older players. At one stretch, Perfetti had four goals in three games, while also putting up a five-game goal scoring streak earlier in the season. 2024-25 will certainly be a year of improvement for Winnipeg's 10th overall selection from 2020. He will look to rejoin teammates on Tuesday at training camp and hope to slot back into the team's second line centerman role for the season.

Cole Perfetti Signs Two-Year, $6.5 Million Contract with Winnipeg

<h2>2016 Playoff Run</h2>The 2015-16 Brandon Wheat Kings are considered by most as one of the very best teams in franchise history. With this year's “Wheaties” putting in a bid for the 2026 Memorial Cup, it is a perfect time to look back at some of the most dominant teams in the Wheat Kings archives.&nbsp;This edition of the Memorial Cup Throwback features a look at the championship round of the WHL playoffs and Brandon's appearance at the Memorial Cup. Take a trip down memory lane below:Championship Series vs SeattleThe Brandon Wheat Kings went into the finals knowing their opponent finished eight points behind them in the regular season. But as the team found out, looks can be deceiving. Seattle - led by Matt Barzal, Keagan Kolesar, Alexander True, Ethan Bear and the WHL save percentage leader (20+ games) Landon Bow - had lost only one game en route to its Western Conference title, and would end up being a huge test for Brandon.Game 1Reid Duke got the Brandon crowd bumping with a late powerplay goal in the last three minutes of the first. Seattle finally broke through a rock-solid Jordan Papirny midway through the second and again early in the third. Wheat Kings’ fans didn't have to worry for long as Nolan Patrick answered three minutes later with his 11th goal of the playoffs. Just over six minutes into overtime a Duncan Campbell shot took an awkward bounce off the glass and went back over the net where Tanner Kaspick batted it into the net for a 1-0 series lead.&nbsp;Game 2Game 2 started off with no score through the first period, as Papirny and Bow both made some key stops early in the game. Just a minute into the first Donovan Neuls put one by Papirny which was quickly answered by a short-handed Patrick goal. In a game where Papirny was sensational it was Bow on the other side of the ice making some huge desperation saves to keep Seattle afloat. Bear gave Seattle its one goal lead back halfway through the third frame, but once again Brandon kept firing as Tyler Coulter buried one four minutes later. Off to overtime once again, Brandon kept buzzing as a sneaky shot from behind the net ended Jayce Hawryluk’s lengthy playoff goal drought and sent Brandon to Seattle with a 2-0 series lead.Game 3If we follow the same storyline of the previous two rounds, Brandon gets blown out in game three, instead we follow the same storyline of the first two games of the championship series. Brandon found itself down 2-1 heading in the final frame for the third-straight game, but John Quenneville’s second of the night and 15th of the playoffs tied it up at the 11-minute mark. And once again we are off to overtime where it didn’t take long for Reid Duke to find the back of the net, sending Brandon into Game 4 with its third-straight 3-2 overtime victory.Game 4Landon Bow vs Jordan Papirny was a huge storyline heading into Game 4. Both goalies had been sensational against each team's high power offence, with Papirny getting the edge by one goal in three-straight games. The script flipped in Game 4 and turned into the Bow show. He stopped 30 of 31 shots, while Papirny gave up six-straight Seattle goals. A late goal by Hawryluk - only his fourth of the playoffs - ruined Bow’s shutout hopes but Seattle came outon top with a 6-1 blowout victory.&nbsp;Game 5Quenneville opened up the scoring early in Game 5, but it was Seattle's fourth line who answered rather quickly. A power play goal from Macoy Erkamps and an early second period goal by Coulter woke the Thunderbirds up as they scored three quick goals to go up 4-3. Hawryluk would answer after a beautiful play by Tim McGauly with less than two minutes left in the second frame, sending the game to the third period tied 4-4. &nbsp;In one of the most exciting back-and-forth games of the year, Patrick and the top line came out flying and put the Wheat Kings up by one, three minutes into the third. It would be three-straight goals - two by Hawryluk, who completed the hat trick - that won the Wheat Kings the 2015-16 Ed Chynoweth Trophy and send Brandon to the Memorial cup.GM 1&nbsp; Seattle Thunderbirds &nbsp; 2 - 3&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat Kings&nbsp; OTGM 2&nbsp; Seattle Thunderbirds &nbsp; 2 - 3&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat Kings&nbsp; OTGM 3&nbsp; Brandon Wheat Kings &nbsp; 3 - 2&nbsp; at Seattle Thunderbirds&nbsp; OTGM 4&nbsp; Brandon Wheat Kings &nbsp; 1 - 6&nbsp; at Seattle ThunderbirdsGM 5&nbsp; Brandon Wheat Kings &nbsp; 8 - 4&nbsp; at Seattle Thunderbirds Memorial Cup in Red DeerUnfortunately, Brandon could not find the same success at the Memorial Cup as the team had all year. Still one of the deepest teams in the tournament, the Wheat Kings couldn’t match the top star power in the tournament&nbsp;Game 1 vs Rouyn NorandaRouyn Noranda were the CHL’s top ranked team the majority of the 2015-16 season with NHL talent Timo Meier, Jeremy Lauzon and Phillipe Myers leading the way along with 108-point scorer Francis Perron.&nbsp;Just over two minutes into the first period and after a huge scramble in front of the net, Reid Duke poked the puck in to put his team up 1-0.The game slowly got away from the Wheat Kings after their early start. Lauzon went end-to-end, and sent a beautiful pass across the middle of the ice to another now NHLer, AJ Greer, who found the back of the net. The Huskies continued to pour it on, scoring two goals in the final 1:27 in the first to put them up 5-1 going into the third.Brandon didn’t back off and outshot the Huskies 20-4 in the third, but could only get two past Chase Marchand, granted one of them was one of the nicest goals in tournament history with John Quenneville going between his legs and roofing it. The comeback was not enough, and the Wheaties moved on to face London.Game 2 vs LondonThe game against London is one Wheat Kings fans would love to forget. London, with their loaded first line of Matthew Tkachuk, Mitch Marner and Christan Dvorak blew out the Wheat Kings 9-1. Looking at it now, Brandon stood no chance against arguably a top five junior team of all time which featured the big three along with other NHL talent Olli Juolevi, Evan Bouchard, Max Jones, Victor Mete and Kole Sherwood.&nbsp;The Tkachuk-Dvorak-Marner line combined for 20 points through the Kinghts' first two games of the tournament and were ultimately too tough to handle for the WHL champs.Game 3 vs Red DeerBrandon came into their third game needing to not only beat Red Deer but beat them by nine goals in order to even create a tie breaker situation. An unfortunate end to the season for Brandon saw the team lose 2-1 in overtime.&nbsp;_________________________________________________Game On's Jackson Bachewich has produced this five-part series set for release in advance of puck drop on the 2024-25 WHL season. The remaining pieces will be revealed in the coming weeks.Stay tuned for the next two stories released in Game On's Memorial Cup Throwback Series.

MEMORIAL CUP THROWBACK: A Five-Part Series on the 2015-16 Brandon Wheat Kings  

<h2>Former Moose captain heads to Slovakia</h2>After six years, defenceman Jimmy Oligny has decided to part ways with the Manitoba Moose.The team's three-year captain has opted to head overseas, where he will suit up for HKM Zvolen in Slovakia next season.A left shot defender, Oligny has earned his keep with the Moose, despite never being drafted to the NHL. He suited up in 473 career AHL contests, but his time with the Moose was certainly low-lighted by a number of injuries. In six seasons with Manitoba, he only played in 198 games, including just 25 games over the last two seasons, and eight last year.He had four assists and 31 penalty minutes in those two years.But it wasn't his offensive contributions that kept him as a fan favourite in Manitoba, but rather his spirit, dressing room presence and leadership off-ice. Oligny has been named the Julian Klymkiw Community Service Award three times and won the AHL's Yanick Dupre Memorial Award as the league's man of the year for his work within the local community.Oligny has played solely in the AHL since turning pro in 2014 following his QMJHL career - with the exception of one ECHL game in 2015-16 - and will now look to carve out a new path in Europe after 10 seasons in the AHL.

Jimmy Oligny to Take Captain's Talents Overseas

<h2>Manitoban joins Senators' Camp on Tryout</h2>The Ottawa Senators officially extended tryout offers to two players this past week: Nikolai Kulemin and Calen Addison.Both names should be of intrigue to Manitobans, with the first - Kulemin - being a regular in a Toronto Maple Leafs top-six forward group from 2008-14. With no Winnipeg Jets local hockey, the Leafs were certainly one of the most televised teams within the province of Manitoba during his break into the NHL. Kulemin spent many seasons alongside Mikhail Grabovsky and Clarke MacArthur on one of the Leafs' most dominant offensive lines through the early-2010s.Addison, on the other hand, is a homegrown local Brandon product, who spent his Junior days playing the point on the Lethbridge Hurricanes' power play.A small defenceman, Addison is known for his offensive contributions and puck-carrying and moving abilities. Selected 53rd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Addison moved from Pennsylvania to Minnesota, before ultimately winding up in San Jose during the 2023-24 season. He split 72 games between the Sharks and Wild, putting up 17 points in the process. In 152 total regular season NHL contests, the 24-year-old has six goals and 50 points. He - much like Kulemin - will attend Senators' camp on a tryout basis, in hopes of landing a one-way deal with Ottawa for the coming year.

Brandon's Calen Addison Signs PTO with Ottawa

<h2>Franko is Speedy Creek Bound</h2>It took very little time for Zach Franko to turn the ship in St. Boniface with the Riels. In two short years, Franko’s accomplishments earned him a call from the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos, which he has since joined as an assistant coach.“He’s competitive, he’s likeable, he will get the best out of a player,” said Jason Frykas, president of the Riels. “He wants to win, and it’s not a negative way of how he shows it.”When Franko took over as head coach of the Riels in 2022, the team had just posted their second-worst win total in team history—finishing dead last in the MMJHL with a 6-36-3 record.In Franko’s first season as head coach, the Riels nearly tripled their win totals from the previous season, making the playoffs where they would lose to the MMJHL powerhouse St. James Canucks in the first round.“The next year, (Franko) wanted to be the GM,” said Frykas. “He excelled; the players loved him.”In Franko’s first year as both head coach and GM, the Riels finished with a record of 24-17-2 – their best season since winning the Jack Mackenzie Trophy – the MMJHL’s championship - in 2014-15.It wasn’t long before Swift Current came calling—sending Franko on his way to the WHL.“I will forever be grateful for my time with the Riels,” said Franko. “I would like to thank the Frykas family, my assistant coaches Tyler Moore, Sean Christensen and Benji Micflikier, trainers and equipment managers and most importantly the players. They have helped put this team in championship contention for years to come and really have helped propel my coaching career. I wouldn’t have got this opportunity without the help from everyone in the St. Boniface Riels organization.”So, where does this leave the Riels after their best season in nine years?The Riels hired Paul Kastes as their next head coach. Kastes is currently the head coach of the U23 men’s Canadian Ball Hockey Team, boasting four years of MMJHL experience as an assistant coach with the St. Vital Junior Victorias.Assistant coaches Christensen and Moore will return, with Moore also accepting the role of GM this season.“I'm very excited to and honoured to be thought of for this position,” said Kastes. “I am coming into a great group and great culture that was set by the previous staff and I am excited to help get this group over the hump and back to competing for a championship.”

Levelling Up - Riels Head Coach and GM Zach Franko Makes Jump to the WHL

<h2>2016 Playoff Run</h2>The 2015-16 Brandon Wheat Kings are considered by most as one of the very best teams in franchise history. With this year's “Wheaties” putting in a bid for the 2026 Memorial Cup, it is a perfect time to look back at some of the most dominant teams in the Wheat Kings archives.&nbsp;This edition of the Memorial Cup Throwback features a look at the first three rounds of Brandon's run to the Memorial Cup. Take a trip down memory lane below:Round 1 vs. EdmontonThe Brandon Wheat Kings' playoffs opened up with a Round 1 rematch from the year before against the Edmonton Oil Kings. The No. 8 seed Oil Kings came into Brandon and stole the first two games of the series, shocking fans and leaving the Wheat Kings looking for answers.&nbsp;After two greasy playoff-styled games the Wheat Kings took over. Four-straight wins - three of them on the road - sent Brandon on to face the Moose Jaw Warriors in Round 2.GM 1 &nbsp;Edmonton Oil Kings &nbsp; 4 - 2&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat KingsGM 2 &nbsp;Edmonton Oil Kings &nbsp; 2 - 1&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat KingsGM 3 Brandon Wheat Kings &nbsp; 3 - 1&nbsp; at Edmonton Oil KingsGM 4 Brandon Wheat Kings &nbsp; 5 - 0&nbsp; at Edmonton Oil KingsGM 5&nbsp; Brandon Wheat Kings &nbsp; 5 - 2&nbsp; at Edmonton Oil KingsGM 6&nbsp; Edmonton Oil Kings &nbsp; 3 - 10&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat Kings&nbsp;Round 2 vs. Moose JawBrandon took care of Moose Jaw rather easily and sent them packing in just five games. On their toes from the slow start in Round 1, the Wheat Kings did not wait to pounce on a skilled Moose Jaw team led by Brayden Point.&nbsp;An early game-tying goal by John Quenneville in the third period of Game 1 seemed to give the Wheat Kings a boost, as Tanner Kaspick scored the game-winner a few moments later. The Wheat Kings carried their momentum into Game 2 at Westman Place and took care of business with a 5-2 win.Heading to Moose Jaw, Wheat Kings fans were confident, but the duo of Jayden Halbgewachs and Tanner Jeannot combined for four goals in a convincing 7-1 victory in front of the Warriors' home crowd. But just like the regular season, the Wheat Kings thrived after being blown out, outsourcing the Warriors 13-5 in the final two games with the Tim MaGauly-John Quenneville-Reid Duke line taking charge with more than half of the 13 goals.&nbsp;GM 1&nbsp; &nbsp; Moose Jaw Warriors &nbsp; 3 - 5&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat KingsGM 2&nbsp; &nbsp; Moose Jaw Warriors &nbsp; 2 - 5&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat KingsGM 3&nbsp; &nbsp; Brandon Wheat Kings&nbsp; 1 - 7&nbsp; at Moose Jaw WarriorsGM 4&nbsp; &nbsp; Brandon Wheat Kings&nbsp; 6 - 2&nbsp; at Moose Jaw WarriorsGM 5&nbsp; &nbsp; Moose Jaw Warriors &nbsp; 3 - 7&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat KingsRound 3 vs Red Deer&nbsp;&nbsp;Red Deer gave Brandon its biggest test through the entire playoff despite losing in five games. Red Deer was all-in as the host of the 2016 Memorial Cup and the team led by Jake DeBrusk and Haydn Fleury never backed down throughout those five games.&nbsp;&nbsp;After a tight Game 1 where Jordan Papirny was the hero with some huge saves, Brandon won its sixth-straight playoff home game in Game 2. Back in Red Deer it was the same storyline as the previous round, as Red Deer handed Brandon a huge 6-2 loss on the backs of six different goal scorers.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Wheat Kings seemed to follow the same pattern throughout the whole year; win a couple games, get blown out, and then take care of business. In Games 4 and 5 they did just that, outshooting the Rebels 9-2 with Nolan Patrick having seven points in those two games, and now for the second season in a row Brandon found itself in the finals.GM 1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Red Deer Rebels &nbsp; 3 - 4&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat Kings&nbsp; OTGM 2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Red Deer Rebels &nbsp; 4 - 6&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat KingsGM 3&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Brandon Wheat Kings &nbsp; 2 - 6&nbsp; at Red Deer RebelsGM 4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Brandon Wheat Kings &nbsp; 4 - 2&nbsp; at Red Deer RebelsGM 5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Red Deer Rebels &nbsp; 2 - 5&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat Kings_________________________________________________Game On's Jackson Bachewich has produced this five-part series set for release in advance of puck drop on the 2024-25 WHL season. The remaining pieces will be revealed in the coming weeks.Stay tuned for the next two stories released in Game On's Memorial Cup Throwback Series.

MEMORIAL CUP THROWBACKS: A 5 Part Series on the 2015-16 Brandon Wheat Kings  

<h2>Jarvis to Make $7.9 annually for the next eight years</h2>Winnipeg's top NHL player, Seth Jarvis, has just put pen to paper on a massive eight-year, $63.2 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.One of the Hurricanes' best players, the 22-year-old had a career year in the final season of his NHL rookie contract, as he put up 34 goals and 67 points on the season - which were both career-highs. The former Assiniboine Park Rangers star re-signed in Carolina on an eight-year contract, to which he will be paid $7.9 million each year through the 2030-31 season. "Seth is a cornerstone player for our franchise,” Hurricanes' GM Eric Tulsky said. “He took another huge step last season, playing in all situations and displaying the skill and competitive drive that will make him a star in this league in the years to come.”Jarvis, who spent his developmental years with the RINK, has earned his keep on a talented Hurricanes squad that has dominated competition for the better part of his career. The Winnipegger finished second in goals and points on Carolina last year, while setting new career-highs in nearly every statistical category. He is the third member of the 2020 NHL Draft class to put up a 30-goal season, joining Tim Stutzle and Lucas Raymond. Jarvis also led Carolina offensively in the postseason, to which he scored five times and added four assists for nine points in the Hurricanes' 11 playoff contests. He ranked first in goals, power-play points and power play goals in the postseason. Taken 13th overall in 2020, the former Portland Winterhawk has 64 goals and 146 points in 231 career regular season NHL contests. He also has a silver medal to his name from the 2019 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.

Seth Jarvis - Winnipeg's Top NHL Player - Just Got Paid

<h2>Gaudreau brothers the victim of HEINOUS motor vehicle collision</h2>A crippling Thursday night rumour soon became reality on Friday morning when it was confirmed that brothers John (Johnny) and Matthew (Matty) Gaudreau were victims of a fatal collision in the evening hours on Thursday in New Jersey.The Gaudreau brothers were cycling in Salem County when they were struck by a vehicle.New Jersey State Police say a man driving in the same direction attempted to pass two slower vehicles on the right hand side, after the two vehicles moved over to the left, allegedly making room for the cyclists - striking them both from behind. Both Johnny and Matty were pronounced dead at the scene.Police identified the driver as Sean M. Higgins, who was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time. Higgins has been charged with two counts of Death by Automobile. He is currently held up in the Salem County Correctional Facility.The brothers were in their home state of New Jersey to celebrate their sister’s wedding, which was set for Friday in Philadelphia, where they were scheduled to be groomsmen.“Johnny Hockey” spent 11 years in the NHL, nine with the Calgary Flames, and two with Columbus. He was a six-time 20-goal-scorer, eclipsing 60 points in eight of his 11 seasons."He was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path," said commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement released by the NHL.Johnny leaves behind his wife, Meredith, and two young children—his daughter, Noa, and son, Johnny Jr.“Completely gutted. The world just lost one of the best,” said Flames forward and former teammate Blake Coleman on X. “RIP Johnny.”Former Calgary Flames General Manager Brian Burke also took to X to reflect on Gaudreau’s time in Calgary. “What I will remember most was his happiness, enthusiasm, and kindness that radiated out through the locker room every day,” said Burke.Matty Gaudreau played for Boston College in the NCAA, following his brother’s footsteps. He spent time in the AHL with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Stockton Heat—most recently playing in the ECHL with the Worcester Railers. He spent the last two years as the head coach of Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester City, New Jersey—where the two brothers played in high school.The Columbus Blue Jackets released a statement on X Friday morning, calling the event an “Unimaginable tragedy”.“The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the inedible impression he made on everyone who knew him,” the Blue Jackets said in their statement."Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers ... two friends, but truly two amazing humans," said uncle Jim Gaudreau in a family statement released Friday afternoon."We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages and love and support. We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued privacy during this very difficult period of grief."Johnny was 31, Matty was 29.

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