The wife of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau revealed that she is nine weeks pregnant with their third child during a tearful tribute at his funeral on Monday.
Meredith Gaudreau made the announcement in an emotional speech to mourners gathered at the service for Johnny and his brother, Matthew, who were killed by an alleged drunk driver while riding their bikes in New Jersey.
‘In less than three years of marriage, we have created a family of five,’ she said. ‘It doesn’t even sound possible, but I look at it as the ultimate blessing. How lucky am I to be the mother of John’s three babies, our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances.’
Johnny leaves behind his wife, whom he married in September 2021, and two young children: one-year-old daughter Noa and baby boy Johnny, who born just six months ago.
The wife of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith (in blue) was seen holding her daughter and son outside of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania Monday
Johnny leaves behind his wife, Meredith, whom he married in September 2021, and two young children: one-year-old daughter Noa and baby boy Johnny, born just six months ago
Guy Gaudreau looks at a hearse containing the remains of his son, Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player John Gaudreau
The widow added that when she shared the news with her husband, he was ‘beaming’ and was ‘so excited.’
‘I was so nervous, because this was again, a total surprise, but his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me,’ Meredith said.
Matthew and Johnny lost their lives in a bike collision on August 29, the night before their sister was supposed to get married.
Sean Higgins, 43, an alleged drunk driver accused of killing the siblings, was charged with two counts of death by auto after careening into them as they cycled along a highway in Salem County, New Jersey.
Meredith Gaudreau (in blue) revealed that she is nine weeks pregnant with her third child with late husband Johnny during a tearful tribute at his funeral on Monday
NHL players, including Seth Jones, Cole Caufield and Connor Murphy, are seen entering the church
Meredith Gaudreau widow said that when she shared the news of her latest pregnancy with her husband, he was ‘beaming’ and was ‘so excited.’ (pictured: Johnny Gaudreau with his children)
The soon-to-be mother-of-three was seen holding her daughter and son as she entered St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania Monday afternoon.
Dozens of mourners packed into the church for the service, which took place less than two weeks after the fatal accident. A private viewing was held on Sunday.
The brothers’ widows grave tearful tributes to their husbands on Monday, recalling the close bond they shared as siblings and their dedication to family.
‘I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be his wife,’ Meredith said. ‘He was and still is my soulmate.’
Matthew’s wife, Madeline Gaudreau, who is pregnant with their child, recalled how the brothers ‘were attached at the hip.’
‘John would take care of Matty, and Matty would take care of John… You did not hear one name without the other,’ she said.
Matthew Gaudreau’s wife, Madeline, who is expected to give birth to their son Tripp in late December, is seen entering the church on Monday forthe funeral
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman (center) is seen outside the church before the service
Mourners are seen embracing as one holds a funeral program in his hand with images of the late brothers
Madeline, Matthew’s wife of just over three years, is expected to give birth to their son, Tripp, in late December.
A GoFundMe page was created to help support the widow and her future son. As of Monday afternoon, more than $647,000 was raised.
Loved ones and dedicated fans started gathering at the church more than two hours before the service began.
Members of the Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, former Boston College coach Jerry York, and countless members of the hockey community were among those in attendance.
The fatal crash happened less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home, the night before Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were to serve as groomsmen in their sister Katie’s wedding, which has since been postponed, DailyMail.com has learned.
Guy Gaudreau is seen crying as his two daughter and wife hold on to him outside the church
The fatal crash happened less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home, the night before Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were to serve as groomsmen in their sister Katie’s wedding
Johnathan and Matthew’s mother, father and two sisters entering the service
Higgins appeared virtually at his first pretrial hearing on Thursday. The judge in this case postponed the hearing to September 13 to allow attorneys more time to prepare themselves.
The 43-year-old is being held in a jail in Salem County, New Jersey and has been charged with two counts of death by auto as well as reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Attorneys Matthew Portella and Richard Klineburger III, who Higgins had hired, said in a statement: ‘This is a tragedy involving a great deal of emotion and impacting many individuals. It is too early in the stages of the legal process to make any out of court statements.’
Fans as well as current and former players paid tribute to the brothers in candlelight vigils held in both Columbus, Ohio and Calgary, Alberta, Canada following their deaths.
Outside Nationwide Arena in Columbus, there was a 13-minute, 21 second silent remembrance of the two brothers – with 13 and 21 being Johnny and Matthew’s playing numbers respectively.
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier hugs Patrik Laine at the funeral
The brothers are seen with their sister, Katie, who postponed her wedding following their deaths
A slideshow played photos of the siblings throughout childhood, their teenage years and into college hockey, the pros, marriages, baptisms, and much more throughout their lives.
Outside the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, bagpipes played as thousands turned out to commemorate Johnny, whom the Flames selected 104th overall in the 2011 NHL draft.
Lewis Gross, the agent of the two brothers, said that it had taken him some time to write about what it meant to him to represent the brothers for the past 15 years.
‘The hockey might be over, but my commitment to John and Matt will last throughout my life,’ Gross wrote on social media. ‘These boys taught me so much. They taught me what family really means.’
