Sean Higgins, the driver suspected of fatally striking brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, appeared Tuesday in a New Jersey courtroom.

NHL hockey star and New Jersey native Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were struck and killed while riding bicycles near his family's New Jersey home on Thursday by an accused drunk driver. Gaudreau is show in a 2023 game while playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) AP

Johnny Gaudreau's jersey number will be retired by his junior team, USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints, at a ceremony honoring him and his late brother, Matthew.

Sean Higgins, the suspected drunken driver accused in the deaths of former NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother last year, pleaded not guilty to all charges stemming from the fatal crash.

Johnny Gaudreau’s family was in attendance on the night and his father Guy Gaudreau was given the honor of the ceremonial puck drop with the full family on the ice. Johnny’s wife Meredith Gaudreau penned a heartfelt note of gratitude to the Fighting Saints on her Instagram stories later in the day.

Jane Gaudreau, the mother of the late brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, shared two quotes on her Instagram Stories after the drunk driver accused of killing them pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday Jan.

Sean Higgins turned down an offer of 35 years in prison and pleaded not guilty in the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on Tuesday.

DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau's No. 8 jersey was retired by the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Saturday night during an emotional ceremony before their United States Hockey League game against Sioux City.

Meredith Gaudreau, wife of the late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, who was killed in a car accident, used his ashes to honor his memory with three cremation tattoos.

Meredith Gaudreau has found a deeply personal way to honor the memory of her late husband, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau

On Dec. 18, the Blue Jackets ranked 26th in the NHL standings and trailed a wild-card spot by five points. After dropping eight of their last nine games, the playoffs seemed increasingly out of reach. They have gone 9-3 ever since.