The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. The Toronto Maple Leafs joined other teams and hockey governing bodies in expressing their condolences to the Gaudreau family on Friday. > The Toronto Maple Leafs join the entire hockey community in mourning the > sudden and tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew. Our > thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the Gaudreau family, their > friends, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames organizations, and all > those who knew and loved Johnny and Matthew during this unimaginably difficult > time. - The NHL and Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed that Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew tragically passed away. According to CBS Philadelphia [https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/salem-county-auburn-road-stumpy-lane/], New Jersey State Police said the two Gaudreau brothers were riding bikes on Thursday after 8 p.m. ET when a man struck them with his car when attempting to pass a slower vehicle. Known in the hockey world as 'Johnny Hockey' after his days at Boston College, Johnny Gaudreau scored 243 goals and added 500 assists in 763 NHL games split between the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets. His brother, Matthew, also played at Boston College and played some professional hockey at the AHL and ECHL levels. The Blue Jackets confirmed the news on Friday morning. > The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable > tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a > loving husband, father, son,brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt > sympathies to hiswife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, > theirfamily and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew. Johnny > played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the > ice. He brought a genuine lovefor hockey with him everywhere he played from > Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He > thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our > organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the > indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him. Johnny embraced our > community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open > arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his > family and each other through this tragedy. At this time, we ask for prayers > for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve. - Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related ‘They Can Tell You That You're Going To Play One Position, And Then, Like In My Case, It Turns Out Not To Be The Case’: Former Maple Leafs Forward Alexander Barabanov Reflects on His Time in Toronto [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/they-can-tell-you-that-youre-going-to-play-one-position-and-then-like-in-my-case-it-turns-out-not-to-be-the-case-former-maple-leafs-forward-alexander-barabanov-reflects-on-his-time-in-toronto-] Why the Marlies Hired Former Maple Leafs Player Steve Sullivan to be an Assistant Coach to John Gruden [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-the-marlies-hired-former-maple-leafs-player-steve-sullivan-to-be-an-assistant-coach-to-john-gruden] Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews and Edmonton Oilers Star Connor McDavid Hit the Ice Together in Munich Ahead of 2024-25 Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-auston-matthews-and-edmonton-oilers-star-connor-mcdavid-hit-the-ice-together-in-munich-ahead-of-2024-25-season] News from THN.com NHL Expansion: Kansas City, Cincinnati and Omaha Long Shots To Land a Team [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-expansion-kansas-city-cincinnati-and-omaha-long-shots-to-land-a-team] NHL's Top Issues Facing the L.A. Kings: Byfield's Growth, Kuemper's Impact and GM's Risk [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhls-top-issues-facing-the-l-a-kings-byfields-growth-kuempers-impact-and-gms-risk] Screen Shots: Jets' Vintage Jersey Love, NHL Labor Uncertainty, And Bruins An Underdog Vs. Leafs? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/screen-shots-jets-vintage-jersey-love-nhl-labor-uncertainty-and-bruins-an-underdog-vs-leafs]
