Jerry York, the former coach of Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, responds to their passing.

York described the brothers’ deaths as a “nightmare” in an interview with CNN on Friday, August 30.

“This morning I was woken up by one of my former assistants, Mike Galvanar, who just told me what happened,” the former Boston College men’s hockey coach told the outlet, adding, “… I was just beside myself.”

Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were killed in a bicycle accident near their Salem County, New Jersey, home on Thursday, Aug. 29, PEOPLE previously confirmed. They were in the area to appear as witnesses at their sister’s wedding the following day.

York reminisced more about the brothers and their family in his interview with CNN, telling the outlet, “I love the family … (They) came to every game. To imagine what their family goes through … is just so hard for me. But they’re a great family.”

He called the brothers’ mother, Jane, and father, Guy, “Hall of Fame parents” who “were always at the front of the line” at their games. “(They) produced two sons who left a remarkable impression on Boston students, athletes and alumni. Just great young guys,” York reflected.

The former coach also said the deaths of Johnny and Matthew left everyone in the hockey community “stunned.”

“Everybody’s stunned, from Olympic teammates to Calgary teammates, Columbus teammates, all the way to Boston College here,” York told CNN. “… ‘Johnny Hockey,’ as they affectionately called him, and his younger brother Matt were just hockey people. They loved hockey.”

The former coach went on to describe the brothers as “remarkable” on the ice, concluding: “God, I miss them already.”

Johnny and Matthew were cycling on Country Route 551 North just after 8 p.m. on Aug. 29 when they were fatally struck by a driver while attempting to pass another car, New Jersey State Police previously told PEOPLE.

The driver, Sean M. Higgins, was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and was charged with two counts of homicide by auto and arrested. An investigation is ongoing.

The brothers played at Boston College before Johnny turned pro and was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2014. After eight seasons with the team, he signed a seven-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022.

Matthew has played for several minor league teams in the meantime and was the head coach of their high school team, Gloucester Catholic High in New Jersey, for the past two years, according to Elite Prospects.

In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, August 30, the Blue Jackets wrote: “The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy.”

They added: “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but most importantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”

Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith and their two children: daughter Noa, who will be 2 in October, and son Johnny, 7 months old.

Matthew is survived by his wife Madeline, who is currently pregnant with their first child.