Gaudreau spent 11 seasons as a forward in the NHL with the Calgary Flames and Blue Jackets and earned the nickname 'Johnny Hockey' due to his infectious spirit for the game and electrifying talent on the ice.

"The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.

"Gaudreau often told the story of how his father taught him to skate as a child in his home state of New Jersey and he carried that same youthful passion throughout his 11 NHL seasons."

According to New Jersey State Police, the driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee hit the Gaudreaus from behind on Thursday when trying to pass an SUV on the right that had moved over to make way for Gaudreau and his 29-year-old brother Matthew.

Police said the Gaudreaus sustained fatal injuries from the collision, which remains an active investigation, and that the driver of the vehicle was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and had been charged with two counts of death by auto.

"Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice," the Blue Jackets said.

"He brought a genuine love for 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."