Meredith Gaudreau Honors Late Husband Johnny in Heartfelt Tribute on Son’s Birthday
Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of late hockey star Johnny Gaudreau, is joyfully marking their son’s 1st birthday.
“Happy 1st Birthday to our baby boy! We love you so much, Baby Johnny! You are already so strong and so special,” Meredith shared on Instagram on Saturday, February 22. “John kept saying, ‘I can’t believe you gave me a boy’ when baby Johnny arrived. I was so captivated by how happy John was — it was one of the best moments of my life.”
She further expressed, “Baby Johnny, you are Mommy’s rock and Noa’s best friend. Nothing compares to the pride and joy Daddy feels being your father.”
Johnny, who passed away in August 2024, and Meredith were parents to daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny, 12 months. Meredith is also expecting the couple’s third child.
“I can’t wait to give you a little sibling soon! Everything for you, Baby Johnny,” Meredith continued in her post. “We love you so much 💙!”
She concluded her message with a touching note to her late husband: “Thank you, John, for giving me our boy. Thank you for our family. It’s been a wild first year, but today we celebrate.”
Meredith took the children to a Columbus Blue Jackets game — the team Johnny played for before his passing — on Saturday. During the game, the audience serenaded Johnny Jr. with “Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you @bluejacketsnhl for making Johnny’s 1st birthday so memorable,” Meredith shared in her Instagram Stories later that day. “I know baby Johnny’s dad would be proud of the big win!” (The Blue Jackets triumphed over the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1.)
Johnny and his younger brother, Matthew Gaudreau, tragically lost their lives after being hit by an alleged drunk driver while biking last summer. They were just 31 and 29 years old, respectively.
In addition to Meredith and their children, Johnny leaves behind his parents and two sisters. Matthew is survived by his wife, Madeline Gaudreau, and their infant son, Tripp.
On Saturday, Madeline also posted a heartfelt birthday tribute for her young nephew.
“Happy Birthday, Johnny! Your Uncle Matty loves you sooooo much,” Madeline wrote on her Instagram Stories. “And Aunty Madeline loves you dearly too.”
Madeline welcomed Tripp in December 2024, just four months after Meredith announced her current pregnancy during the brothers’ funeral.
“We’re actually a family of five,” Meredith shared during her September 2024 eulogy. “I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby. It came as a total surprise, but John was so excited. After the initial shock, he would often turn to me and say, ‘You’re nuts, you realize that? Three kids?’”
