Meredith Gaudreau Posts Favorite ‘Johnny Hockey’ Snaps of Late Husband

Meredith Gaudreau is remembering the many talents of her late husband Johnny Gaudreau.

On Tuesday, November 5, Meredith reposted several photos originally shared by fans and loved ones who had uploaded their “Favorite Johnny hockey pic” to social media. Selecting a handful of posts to share via her own Instagram Stories, Meredith painted a touching tribute to the ice hockey player, who tragically died on August 29 at the age of 31.

Meredith began with her own favorite photo, posting a snap of Johnny holding the pair’s daughter, Noa, when the child was a newborn. “This daddy-daughter bond,” Meredith, who is pregnant with the couple’s third child, captioned the photo. Johnny is seen gazing down at his daughter with a soft smile on his face.

Further photos in Meredith’s edit included another snap of Johnny pressing his cheek against a smiling baby Noa, Johnny posing with two young girls (originally posted by Johnny’s sister Kristen Gaudreau), Johnny competing on the hockey rink, Meredith meeting some of Johnny’s family for the first time and a video of Johnny fixing Noa’s hair.

Johnny, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and a total of 11 seasons in the National Hockey League, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, an emerging hockey coach after playing professionally for five years, were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver while riding bikes together in August.

Us Weekly confirmed in the days that followed that the athletes were hit by Sean M. Higgins, who was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.

Meredith announced during an emotional eulogy for her late husband on September 9 that she was in her “ninth week of pregnancy” with the pair’s third child. “Noa, our oldest, hasn’t even turned two yet,” Meredith said at the time. “In less than three years of marriage, we’ve created a family of five. 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.”

Madeline Gaudreau, wife to the late Matthew, is also pregnant with the couple’s first child.

Just one week ago, Meredith and the extended Columbus Blue Jackets community gathered to celebrate Johnny with the couple’s two children. (Meredith is also mother to son Johnny, 8 months, whom she shared with her late husband.)

Meredith shared sweet memories from the celebration via Instagram, posting a carousel of images after it wrapped. “Thank you to all of our babies hockey uncles & aunts for keeping us so close to this community and including Noa and Johnny in everything. John is looking down with so much pride and I know is so thankful for you all taking care of me the way you have been,” she captioned the post. “The entire organization. I feel at home when I am around you all. I can’t thank you enough from the bottom of my broken heart.”

She then turned her attention to Johnny’s adoring fans. “Thank you to all the fans for your love for John. Far and wide. I have saved every single post and am holding on to them so tightly to show our children,” Meredith continued in the post. “Noa asks for “more daddy hockey” before bed every night. I love so much and am so grateful to be able to see so many videos of John, listen to his voice in interviews and adore his perfect smile in everyone’s posts and tributes. I pray they never stop. It means more to me than I can express.”

Meredith concluded her post with words directed to her late husband, revealing her ongoing love for him. “Thank you for giving me our hockey family, our children and such a beautiful life as your wife. You are and will always be my everything. I love you so much,” she wrote. “The best daddy ever. The best husband. You set the standard high (hockey and at home) and we’re all striving to be like you every day. Thank you for that. I love you forever my Reggies.”