The family of Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew broke their silence Friday after the siblings were fatally struck by an alleged drunk driver in New Jersey, remembering them as “really two great people.”

“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons and brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends, but truly two wonderful people,” their father, Jim Gaudreau, said in a statement to news station WBZ-TV.

“We want everyone to know that we receive your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult time of grief,” the statement continued.

The tragic incident occurred just one day before the brothers were to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding to hockey player Devin Joyce in Gloucester City, New Jersey.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also recalled Gaudreau’s “infectious” spirit in a statement Friday.

“While Johnny’s infectious game spirit and impressive skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a devoted father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to all who were fortunate enough to cross his path,” Bettman said.

The team announced the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on X Friday morning.

The brothers were killed when they were hit by a car around 8 p.m. Thursday while riding their bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, police said.

The alleged drunk driver was Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, who was charged with two counts of death by motor vehicle accident in connection with the devastating crash.

Higgins had glassy eyes in the photo after the incident, which showed him driving north in a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind a sedan and an SUV, New Jersey State Police said.

He tried to pass the slower moving cars by changing lanes, authorities said.

Higgins passed the sedan and attempted to return to the northbound lane, but the SUV in front of him pulled into the center of the roadway to safely pass the cyclists on the right side of the road.

He then tried to pass the SUV on the right side and hit the brothers from behind, officers said.

The officer who arrived at the scene smelled a “strong odor of alcohol,” the police statement said.

Higgins allegedly told the officer he had had “five to six beers” before the fatal crash.

Gaudreau, a native of Salem, N.J., played for the Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames during 11 NHL seasons. Last season, he played in 81 games and scored 48 points.

Johnny was 31 and Matthew was 29.

Gaudreau is survived by his wife Meredith and two children: Noa, 1, and Johnny, 6 months.