After suffering through the tragedy of losing her husband, Meredith Gaudreau – the widow of NHL star Johnny – admits she’s “having a hard time.”
Meredith recently posted on Instagram several interview clips of Johnny, including one from October 2022 in which he spoke about becoming a new father.
She wrote in the caption to the footage that she’s “having a hard time” as their daughter Noa’s second birthday approaches in a few weeks.
“She loves watching videos of daddy before bed especially her requests for ‘daddy hockey’ which led me to these videos,” Meredith posted. “She loves watching him play and cheering for him through the screen. His biggest fan.”
Meredith, who revealed during the funeral service for Johnny and his brother Matthew that she is pregnant with the couple’s third child, continued that Noa and her dad “loved each other so much” and she “even has the same freckle as him on her right cheek.”
“And as she approaches turning two, I have been told their personalities are getting to be more and more similar and I can’t wait for that to continue,” she concluded the post.
In another clip, Johnny explained that “the most important thing” to him was being near his family when it came to the team he played for.
“My perfect husband. I want to say that watching these videos has me feeling so thankful but to be honest I never once didn’t feel like the luckiest most grateful girl in the world since the day I met him,” Meredith wrote. “Videos like this (are) why. I love you so much John. Thank you for being the perfect husband.”
In the third Instagram post, Meredith shared an interview clip of Johnny speaking about Sean Monahan, his close friend and former Calgary Flames teammate who had signed with Columbus in the off-season.
“It’s been really hard watching hockey start up and seeing how different my life is now,” Meredith wrote. “My whole life was taking care of John and our kids. It’s all I ever wanted. But watching Sean wear CBJ is something I know John always always wanted.
“Noa loves cheering for Uncle Sean too. Wishing 23 a good training camp and can’t wait to cheer you on.”
Johnny Gaudeau and his brother Matthew were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver as they were cycling in their native Salem County, N.J., on the night before their sister’s wedding last month.
Sean Higgins, a financial officer at a rehab company and married father of two daughters, allegedly slammed his Jeep Grand Cherokee into the Gaudreau brothers. He was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and has been charged with two counts of death by auto.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by The Associated Press, Higgins allegedly told authorities he drank “five to six beers” before the crash and admitted to consuming alcohol while driving.
During a virtual hearing last week ahead of a potential trial, prosecutor Jonathan Flynn called Higgins a “danger” to the community, citing the “reckless” driving and “road rage” alleged in this incident.
Evidence also was introduced stating Higgins’ blood-alcohol level recorded during the on-site sobriety test was .087. The legal limit in New Jersey is .08.
Last week, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced their plans to honour the brothers.
The Blue Jackets, who Johnny spent the past two seasons with, will wear a special sticker on their helmets beginning at the club’s first pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday and through the 2024-25 season.
Beginning with the club’s first regular-season game on Oct. 10 at the Minnesota Wild and throughout the season, Blue Jackets players will wear a patch featuring Johnny’s No. 13 on their jerseys.
For Columbus’ first pre-season home game on Sept. 25 against St. Louis, a moment of silence will be held in remembrance of the brothers.
In addition, the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation 50/50 Raffle will be open for all four pre-season games through the second intermission of the regular-season home opener with proceeds going to the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation.
Also, in lieu of the club’s typical Opening Night activities, the Blue Jackets will celebrate the memory of the Gaudreau brothers.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman posted on X that the team would keep Gaudreau’s locker intact.
“In addition to what’s mentioned, GM Don Waddell said Johnny Gaudreau’s dressing-room stall will be kept intact and a jersey will be placed there every game.”