Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau Jerseys Auctioned After Brothers Killed In NJ Crash

SEWELL, NJ — The jerseys of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were killed by a suspected drunk driver in South Jersey, are up for auction.

The auction supports the Gaudreau family and features their hockey jerseys from Gloucester Catholic High School to the pros.

The junior-league Philadelphia Rebels and their home venue, Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell, are holding the online auction. Click here to bid.

Bidding will last into Sunday. The jerseys are not game-worn.

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau "grew up" at Hollydell Ice Arena, where their father Guy spent decades as the facility's hockey director, according to the Rebels. The brothers continually returned to Hollydell to host clinics, and Matthew later became the Rebels' assistant coach.

A driver struck and killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau while the brothers rode bikes Aug. 29 in Salem County, according to State Police. They were set to be groomsmen at their sister's wedding, which was scheduled for the following day.

Both of the brothers' wives are pregnant.

The Gaudreaus grew up in Salem County and lived there at the time of their deaths. Johnny, 31, became a seven-time NHL all-star and most recently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Matthew, 29, played in the minor leagues before returning to South Jersey and coaching hockey at his alma mater, Gloucester Catholic High School.

Their deaths have resulted in an outpouring of tributes both locally and throughout the NHL.

The driver who hit them — Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown — was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. After the crash, his blood alcohol content came in at 0.087 percent — higher than the state's legal limit of 0.08 — according to prosecutors.

Higgins will remain jailed until at least Oct. 15, when his pre-indictment conference is scheduled.