The widow of Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau shared a moving tribute to the late hockey player on her social media Saturday morning.
“Thank you for the best years of my life,” Meredith Gaudreau wrote on Instagram alongside a carousel of photos of her and Gaudreau over the years.
“Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much,” the grieving wife added.
Johnny Gaudreau recently celebrated his 31st birthday. Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram
“You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”
Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were biking along County Route 51 in Oldmans Township, NJ, Thursday evening when they were struck from behind by a suspected drunk driver.
The brothers were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the criminal complaint.
The Gaudreaus were killed less than 24 hours before they were supposed to serve as groomsmen in the Friday afternoon wedding of their younger sister, Katie, to hockey player Devin Joyce.
The ceremony in Gloucester City was canceled in light of the tragedy.
Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau were married in 2021. Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram
In addition to his wife, Meredith, Johnny Gaudreau is survived by his daughter, Noa, almost 2, and son Johnny, 6 months.
Meredith Gaudreau also shared a tribute post of photos of the seven-time NHL All-Star and his young children.
“The absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with,” she wrote.
Gaudreau’s daughter, Noa, was a fixture at his hockey games. Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram
“John never missed a single appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much daddy.”
Matthew Gaudreau is survived by his wife, Madeline, who is expecting the couple’s first child.
A GoFundMe for Madeline Gaudreau and “Baby Tripp” quickly blew through its $30,000 goal, and had raised over $260,000 as of Saturday morning.
A growing memorial to Johnny Gaudreau has cropped up outside the Blue Jackets stadium in Columbus. AP
The Gaudreau family – including the brothers parents and two sisters – released a joint statement on Friday to thank the public for the outpouring of support.
“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 amazing humans,” family spokesperson, Jim Gaudreau, said in a statement to news station WBZ-TV.
Follow the NY Post’s coverage on NHL star Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic death at 31:
Johnny Gaudreau’s brother Matthew was a dad-to-be when the siblings were killed by alleged drunk driver Johnny Gaudreau’s wife honors NHL star with moving tribute after devastating alleged drunk driver crash: ‘Best years of my life’ Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, brother struck and killed by car while riding bikes a day before sister’s wedding: ‘Unimaginable tragedy’
“We want to let everyone know we are receiving 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 period of grief.”
Gaudreau and his wife also welcomed a son, Johnny, earlier this year. Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram
The talented brothers were top hockey players from southern New Jersey, and both played for Boston College.
Johnny Gaudreau was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2014. He signed with the Blue Jackets in 2022.
Matthew briefly signed with the New York Islanders’ minor league affiliate. He last played professionally in 2021.
