Johnny Gaudreau and Wife Meredith Welcome Their Third Child
Meredith Gaudreau, wife of Johnny Gaudreau, announced the birth of their third child just seven months after his tragic passing.
“I had our third baby!” Meredith posted on Instagram on Monday, April 7, closely following the birth. “It’s another boy 🥹💙—Carter Michael Gaudreau, sharing the same middle name as his daddy. Weighing in at 8 lbs 3 oz and measuring 20.5 inches—just like his daddy. He resembles his daddy so much 🥰.”
She expressed her love, saying, “I love you so much, my little one! We’re going to have so much fun together. I can’t wait to provide you with the best life, my special son forever.”
Johnny, who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League, along with his younger brother Matthew Gaudreau, tragically lost their lives in August 2024 when they were hit by a suspected drunk driver while biking near their home in New Jersey. Johnny was 31 and Matthew was 29.
During a memorial service for the brothers, Meredith shared the news of her pregnancy with Johnny’s third child. (The couple, who tied the knot in September 2021, previously welcomed daughter Noa in September 2022 and son Johnny in February 2024.)
“We’re actually a family of five,” Meredith revealed during her eulogy for Johnny. “I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third child. A complete surprise, but John was overjoyed and excited.”
She mentioned, “I was really anxious because this was completely unexpected. But his reaction was pure joy, with lots of kisses and hugs, even while I was driving. After the initial thrill, he would look at me and say, ‘You know you’re crazy, right? Three kids?’”
Despite the pain from his passing, Meredith speaks of growing their family with appreciation. “Noa, our oldest, isn’t even two yet,” she mentioned. “In just under three years of marriage, we’ve created a family of five. It seems unbelievable. I see it as an incredible blessing. How fortunate am I to be the mother of John’s three children? Our youngest is such a blessing, unique and special, even amidst these tough times.”
She added, “To my little ones, Daddy loves you all immensely, and you have the best dad in the world.”
A few days after Johnny’s death, Meredith opened up about the tragedy. “Thank you for giving me the best years of my life,” she posted on Instagram in August 2024. “Even in his absence, I still feel like the luckiest girl for having been his. I love you endlessly. You were everything I could have wished for. At times, it felt surreal. I cherish every aspect of you. You are my forever, and I look forward to being with you again. My love for you is eternal.”
In a subsequent post, Meredith celebrated Johnny’s exemplary qualities as a father. “The best dad ever. Exceptionally caring and loving. A wonderful partner to navigate parenthood with,” she shared. “John never missed any appointment. He was excellent at soothing the baby to sleep, and Noa truly adored him. I adore how much she resembles him. We will strive to make you proud. Our love for you is immeasurable, Daddy.”
Meredith also vowed to support her sister-in-law Madeline Gaudreau, who was expecting her and Matthew’s first child, a son named Tripp, at the time of the brothers’ deaths.
“Matty, I’m grateful for how much you loved our children as if they were your own, and for being such a wonderful uncle and godfather. I eagerly look forward to becoming Tripp’s aunt,” she wrote via Instagram in August 2024. “Please keep watching over John just as you always have. I’ve got Madeline and Tripp 🤍 We love you dearly.”
