Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Gaudreau’s Former Coach Reacts to Their Deaths

Jerry York, the former coach of Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, is reacting to their deaths.

York described the brothers’ deaths as a “nightmare” in an interview with CNN on Friday, Aug. 30.

“This morning I got woken up by one of my former assistants, Mike Galvanar, who just informed me of what happened,” the former Boston College men’s hockey coach told the outlet, adding, “… I was just beside myself.”

Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, died in a biking accident close to their hometown of Salem County, New Jersey, on Thursday, Aug. 29, PEOPLE previously confirmed. They were in the area to appear as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding the following day.

York recalled more memories of the brothers and their family in his conversation with CNN, telling the outlet, “I love the family … [They] came to every game. To try to imagine what their family is going through … it’s just so difficult for me. But they’re a wonderful family.”

He then called the brothers’ mom Jane and dad Guy “Hall of Fame parents” who “were always front and center” at their matches. “[They] produced two sons that left a remarkable mark on Boston college students, athletes and alumni. Just terrific young guys,” reflected York. 

The former coach also said that Johnny and Matthew’s deaths have left everybody in the hockey community “stunned.”

“Everybody’s stunned from Olympic teammates, to Calgary teammates, to Columbus teammates, to all of Boston College here,” York told CNN. “… ‘Johnny Hockey,’ as they all fondly called him, and his younger brother Matt were just hockey people. They loved hockey.” 

The former coach next described the brothers as “remarkable” on the hockey pitch. He concluded, “God, I miss them already.”

Johnny and Matthew were biking on Country Route 551 North just after 8 p.m. on Aug. 29 when a driver fatally hit them after attempting to pass another car, New Jersey State Police previously told PEOPLE.

The driver, Sean M. Higgins, was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, and he was charged with two counts of death by auto and arrested. An investigation is ongoing. 

The brothers played at Boston College before Johnny went pro and was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2014. After eight seasons with the team, he signed a seven-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022.

Matthew, meanwhile, played for several minor league teams, and in the last two years, he was head coach of their high school team, Gloucester Catholic High in New Jersey, per Elite Prospects.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Aug. 30, the Blue Jackets wrote, “The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy.”

They added, “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”

Johnny is survived by his wife, Meredith, and their two children, daughter Noa, who turns 2 in October, and son Johnny, 7 months.

Matthew is survived by his wife Madeline, who is currently pregnant and expecting their first baby.