After news about hockey player Johnny Gaudreau hit social sites, many rushed to confirm the information, but the retired referee, Tim Peel, joined the conversation, pleading with his followers to pray for the player.
According to several reports, a freak accident in Philadelphia reportedly killed Johnny and his family. However, no one confirmed the true nature of the event, as some speculated that the player died in a car crash, while others emphasized that he perished in a helicopter mishap.
As the confusion persisted, Tim Peel initially tweeted, “Please tell me this is not true! #CBJ,” followed by the statement, “Reports are that Jonny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver tonite. Please pray that this is not true!“
Given his connection in the industry in the NHL scene and his 37.2k followers count, many took Peel’s tweet as news and confirmed Johnny’s news.
Reports are that Jonny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver tonite. Please pray that this is not true! #CBJ #NHL pic.twitter.com/mBbJTiY6MN
— Tim Peel (@TimCPeel20) August 30, 2024
However, a look into recent cases in Philadelphia revealed an accident that resembled stories that have been floating around on Twitter.
The news report claimed that a driver struck and killed two bicyclists on Thursday night in Salem County. Further, the accident happened around 8:30 pm on Pennsvilla Auburn Road.
After the incident, the driver fled the scene, and the authorities didn’t reveal the identities of the victims immediately.
So, we cannot guarantee that Johnny lost his life in an accident based solely on a tweet from Tim Peel.
Despite unconfirmed sources, fans sent condolences for Johnny after Tim Peel tweets!
While official sources take time to publish the reports, new conspiracies have been forming regarding the death of the hockey player.
Previously, Johnny attended his sister’s rehearsal wedding in New Jersey, a location close to the accident, a few days before the news about his demise hit Twitter.
Additionally, his family members, active on social media, haven’t posted anything related to the player’s departure or released public statements to dismiss the news, creating room for more speculation.
🚨 NO CONFIRMATION YET:
— Beats in Brief (@beatsinbrief) August 30, 2024
Rumours are circulating on social media about the death of American ice hockey player Johnny Gaudreau, also known as "Johnny Hockey."
However, there is no official confirmation, and these rumours could be false.
If that's the case, it's a troubling… pic.twitter.com/s7MGfYUwM5
After Tim Peel’s tweet, many criticized his action despite being a seasoned professional in the hockey field. One Twitter user wrote, “Tim Peel is the least credible person on this app. There’s a reason he was fired from the NHL. Get a f*cking life, you old loser. Don’t report on something that hasn’t been confirmed yet.“
However, Peel’s replies reveal that he is unsure about the situation and pray that Johnny and his brother are safe after the alleged accident.
On platforms like Reddit, many have requested others to maintain decency while talking about the incident, saying, “This is the most important thing. People are saying it’s sad if Johnny has died. Regardless of who it is, 2 people died in a tragic accident tonight.“
With RIP posts flooding the internet, the officials have advised people to refrain from engaging with unconfirmed news and to wait for public statements from the state police for the identity of the victim.
Additional Information
- Born in 1993 in Salem Country, NJ, Johnny Gaudreau grew up with parents Guy Gaudreau and Jane Gaudreau.
- Johnny Gaudreau played as the ice hockey winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League and won a trophy for Rookie of the Year in 2014.
- With an estimated net worth of $10 million, Johnny Gaudreau trademarked his nickname, “Johnny Hockey,” after many used it for marketing purposes.