Widow of Johnny Gaudreau: ‘You were perfect’

The widow of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau paid tribute to him in two social media posts Saturday, calling him her “forever” and praising him as the “best father” to their young children.

Meredith Gaudreau also shared family photos of her late husband, who celebrated his 31st birthday with her, daughter Noa and son Johnny earlier this month.

“Thank you for the best years of my life. Even though I lost you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have had you,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “I love you so much. You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love everything about you. You are mine forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much, always and forever.”

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed Thursday night in New Jersey when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while riding bicycles near their family home. The Gaudreau family had gathered in Salem County to attend the wedding of the men’s sister, Katie, scheduled for Friday. The events were canceled.

Meredith and Johnny were married on September 4, 2021. Noa was born the following September and Johnny on February 22.

“The best dad in the world. So caring and loving,” she wrote alongside photos of Gaudreau and the kids. “The best partner to parent with. John never missed an 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 much, Daddy.”

Matthew Gaudreau, 29, was a high school men’s hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic in New Jersey and also an expectant father. His wife, Madeline, is expecting their first child in December. A GoFundMe page set up to support her and the baby, who will be named Tripp, had raised nearly $300,000 as of Saturday morning.

Social media messages poured in honoring the Gaudreaus from across the sports world, including from hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and Jalen Hurts, quarterback of the Gaudreaus’ favorite NFL team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

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—Wayne Gretzky (@WayneGretzky) August 31, 2024

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau. Johnny was a dedicated hockey player, Birds fan and beloved member of the Eagles faithful. I would like to send my sincere condolences to the entire Gaudreau family and those affected by this loss!#FlyJohnnyFly 🙏🏾

— Jalen Hurts (@JalenHurts) August 30, 2024

According to police, the brothers were riding their bicycles on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township around 8:30 p.m. Thursday when they were struck by a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey. The crash occurred when the driver attempted to pass a slower vehicle on the right and struck the Gaudreaus from behind, Philadelphia’s 6ABC reported.

The television station, citing a police statement, said Higgins allegedly told a state trooper who arrived at the scene that he had consumed “five to six beers” before the crash. Higgins failed a field sobriety test, according to the report.

Higgins was taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility and charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter. During a video court appearance Friday afternoon, he was ordered held without bail pending a detention hearing on Thursday.

This report uses information from Field Level Media.