Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of late hockey participant Johnny Gaudreau, acquired a standing ovation whereas attending the 2025 NHL Draft.
On the Friday, June 27 occasion, which was held on the Peacock Theater at L.A. Dwell in Los Angeles, Meredith took to the stage to announce the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first-round choose.
Whereas on stage, Meredith acquired loud applause and a standing ovation from the gang in attendance in an emotional second, per At present. The gang additionally chanted her late husband’s title to indicate their help.
Meredith took the chance to thank everybody who had supported her and her household following the loss of life of Columbus Blue Jackets participant Johnny and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. The siblings each died in August 2024 after being fatally struck by a drunk driver whereas driving bikes collectively. They have been 31 and 29, respectively.
“I simply needed to take this time to thank each single crew and each single fan base in your help for my household this previous season,” Meredith stated on stage, per footage printed through At present. “It’s actually an honor to be right here and from the underside of my coronary heart, I thanks.”
The motive force who hit the Gaudreau brothers close to their hometown in New Jersey, Sean Higgins, now faces six expenses, together with aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular murder. He has pleaded not responsible on all expenses.
Johnny and Matthew’s deaths have been simply at some point earlier than their sister Katie’s wedding ceremony in Philadelphia, which was postponed after the tragic incident. Each males have been scheduled to be groomsmen on the ceremony. Katie’s wedding ceremony has since been rescheduled to July 2025.
Meredith and Johnny Gaudreau Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram
Meredith was pregnant on the time of Johnny’s loss of life and gave start to their third baby, son Carter, in April. The couple additionally shared daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny Jr., 15 months. In the meantime, Matthew’s widow, Madeline, gave start to their first baby in December 2024, naming him Tripp Matthew in his father’s honor.
Earlier this month, Meredith opened up about her grief and spoke candidly in regards to the second she realized her husband was useless in a poignant letter printed within the Gamers’ Tribune.
Richard T Gagnon/Getty Photos Meredith Gaudreau is feeling help from the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames whereas mourning the deaths of her late husband, Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. “I wish to assume that these two cities doing this for John on our wedding ceremony anniversary is additional particular,” she wrote through her […]
“I used to be in shock. I used to be keeled over for days sick to my abdomen,” she wrote within the letter, printed on June 12. “It’s fully indescribable. The one one that can relate to me is my very own sister-in-law. I see her and my coronary heart breaks for her.”
The Columbus Blue Jackets launched an announcement shortly after information was reported of Johnny and Matthew’s deaths.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the franchise posted through X in August. “Johnny was not solely a terrific hockey participant, however extra considerably a loving father, son, brother and buddy. We prolong our heartfelt sympathies to his spouse, Meredith, his youngsters Noa and Johnny, his dad and mom, their household and buddies on the sudden loss of life of Johnny and Matthew.”
