Johnny Gaudreau's Widow Makes Heartbreaking Announcement At Brothers’ Memorial
Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, in a heart-wrenching eulogy for her late NHL player husband on Monday, announced that she is pregnant with their third child.
Speaking at a memorial service for the Columbus Blue Jackets star and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, Meredith Gaudreau said that they had only just learned about the pregnancy, which came as “a total surprise.” The couple already has two children, a boy and a girl, who are under the age of 2.
“John and I had the best six months as a family of four. These will forever be the best six months of my life,” she said. “There’s specifically one week that I will cherish forever ― it will be my favorite week of my life out of those six months. We’re actually a family of five. I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby.”
“His reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me, even though I was driving the car,” she went on.
The two brothers, ages 31 and 29, were killed on Aug. 29 after being struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding their bikes outside of Philadelphia. Their deaths came hours before their sister’s wedding that was planned for nearby.
“Despite losing my husband way too soon, I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be his wife,” Meredith said, while vowing to make him a proud father. “A huge part of me died, but the other part of me will be stronger for our children … They will know how special their daddy was, and they will make you proud.”
Matthew Gaudreau’s wife, Madeline Gaudreau, is also pregnant with their first child, a boy, who’s due in December. In a separate speech, she expressed her own heartbreak while comparing the last week to “a nightmare I can’t wake up from.”
“I feel numb, angry, sad, blessed all at once. Some days the thought of this new reality is debilitating. But mostly, I just miss Matt,” she said, while urging those listening to “never drink and drive.”
“Call a friend. Please don’t put another family through this torture,” she said.
Matthew also played hockey professionally, having last played with Massachusetts’ Worcester Railers during the 2021-2022 season. He also played at Boston College alongside his brother and at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, where he was serving as the head hockey coach, following in the steps of his father, Guy Gaudreau.
Driver Sean Higgins, 43, has been charged with two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide in the crash. The charges are punishable by a maximum of 10 years in state prison, as a judge told him during his first court appearance.
He was also cited for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, possession of an open container, improper passing and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
