Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith Gaudreau is speaking out.
Hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were enjoying some time in their home state of New Jersey, preparing to be groomsmen in their sister’s wedding when tragedy struck.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were hit by a drunk driver while riding bikes in Oldmans Township on Aug. 29. Both brothers have died.
Now in a heartbreaking statement shared by Meredith on her public Instagram account, she’s opening up for the first time.
“Thank you for the best years of my life,” she began next to a picture of herself, Johnny, and their kids all together on his 31st birthday. “Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much. You were perfect.”
“Some days it felt too good to be true,” Meredith continued. “I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”
In a second post, Meredith gushed over how great of a dad Johnny was to their kids.
“The absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with. John never missed a single appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much daddy,” Meredith wrote.
According to New Jersey State Police, the driver has been identified as Sean M. Higgins. He has since been charged with two counts of death by auto and arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
In a statement share by Johnny’s team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the organization said it is “shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”
“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew,” the statement continued.
Columbus Blue Jackets statement on the passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew. pic.twitter.com/V2aFykgKIs
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 30, 2024
“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets.”
The Blue Jackets said Johnny would “thrill fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.”
“Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy. At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve,” the statement concluded.
Gaudreau had just celebrated his 31st birthday on Aug. 13th.
He and Meredith had welcomed their second child, Johnny, into the world on Feb. 2.
Matthew was also a college hockey player. He leaves behind several family members, including a wife, Madeline.
This is a developing story.