Meredith Gaudreau recently shared a heartfelt slideshow of photos featuring her, her late husband Johnny Gaudreau, and their children, cherishing the precious moments they had as a family. Meredith, wife of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, paid a touching tribute to her husband, who tragically passed away in a suspected drunk driving accident.
In an emotional Instagram post, Meredith expressed her profound love for Johnny, calling him perfect and saying he made life feel “almost too good to be true.” She wrote, “Thank you for the best years of my life. Even though I lost you, I’m still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so, so much.” Meredith’s message spoke to the depth of her love, declaring that Johnny would always be her forever, and she looked forward to the day they would be reunited. The photos she shared captured a couple deeply in love—cuddling, hugging, playing golf, spending time with their children, and relaxing with their dog. Whether surrounded by friends or in quiet moments together, Johnny and Meredith were always smiling and laughing. They were married in 2021 and had two children, a daughter named Noa and a son named Johnny. In a separate post, Meredith celebrated Johnny as a devoted father, calling him “The absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving. The perfect partner to navigate parenthood with. He never missed a single appointment.”
She shared how Johnny had a special way of soothing their baby and how much Noa adored him, even noting how their daughter looked just like him. Meredith vowed to make Johnny proud and emphasized how deeply they all loved him. The photos included tender moments of Johnny as a father—holding their baby son, walking with Noa, and sharing playful beach outings. One particularly moving picture showed Johnny in full sports gear, ready for a game, with Noa gazing up at him with admiration. Johnny’s bond with his children shone through in every image, showing his love and dedication to his family.
Johnny and his brother Matty tragically lost their lives in the same accident. Meredith honored the inseparable bond between the two brothers, describing how they were always together, side by side, even at large gatherings. She shared how, despite being the younger brother, Johnny looked up to Matty and relied on him for everything. Matty was always there for him. Meredith spoke of their close friendship, describing them as each other’s biggest supporters, despite their differences in personality. Their magnetic presence made people gravitate toward them, including herself. Meredith also expressed gratitude for Matty’s love for their children, calling him an incredible uncle and godfather. She promised to honor both Johnny and Matty’s memory by being there for Matty’s unborn child, Tripp, and his wife, Madeline. She vowed to take care of them with all her heart. The photos she shared included Matty’s role in Noa’s baptism and the brothers standing proudly as groomsmen at her and Johnny’s wedding.
The Gaudreau and Matty’s families are devastated by the loss of these two beloved men—husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, and friends. They have been overwhelmed with messages of support from friends, fans, and teammates, and they have expressed their gratitude for the prayers and love. The families ask for continued privacy during this difficult time as they come together to support one another and cherish their memories.
As previously reported, Johnny and Matty Gaudreau were tragically killed on August 29, 2024, when they were struck by a car while biking in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. The accident happened around 8:30 p.m., and authorities believe the driver may have been under the influence. The Columbus Blue Jackets, Johnny’s hockey team, issued a statement expressing their shock and devastation, highlighting Johnny’s incredible talent on the ice and his impact on the team and the sport. The team emphasized that Johnny’s legacy reached far beyond hockey—he was a loving husband, father, and friend, and his absence will be deeply felt by the community. The statement concluded with a request for prayers for the Gaudreau family during this unimaginable time and a plea for respect for their privacy. Similarly, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman shared a message of condolence, praising Johnny’s legacy as one of the league’s brightest stars throughout his 11 seasons in the NHL. Bettman extended heartfelt sympathies to Meredith, their children, Johnny’s parents, Guy and Jane, and his sisters Kristen and Katie.
The news of Johnny and Matty’s tragic passing first surfaced in reports that an accident had occurred, with the victims later identified as the Gaudreau brothers. According to 6abc Action News, the New Jersey State Police confirmed that the driver involved stayed at the scene and was suspected of being under the influence. Social media platforms, including X, were soon flooded with messages about the accident, with people like Elaine Shircliff and Steve Franklin sharing updates and confirming the brothers’ identities. Retired NHL referee Tim Peel also posted on X, asking for prayers for the Gaudreau family and hoping the reports were not true.