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Meredith Gaudreau praises the NHL community for helping her grieve husband Johnny Gaudreau's death

The mom-of-two still mourns her husband's tragic death seven months later — but she is grateful the game of hockey keeps his memory going.
Joseph Galizia|
Oct 15, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith walks out onto the ice with her children and a family member for a memorial for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau before the home opener at Nationwide Arena.
Oct 15, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith walks out onto the ice with her children and a family member for a memorial for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau before the home opener at Nationwide Arena. | Samantha Madar/USA Today Network via Imagn Images

The tragic passing of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau continues to shake the hockey community, but no one is grieving harder than his wife Meredith. 

Johnny and his brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver while biking on the evening of August 29, 2024. Along with Meredith, Johnny is survived by his two children: daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny Jr., 1. Meredith revealed at Johnny and Matthew's funeral that she was pregnant with their third child. 

Seven months later, Meredith opened up about how she is dealing with the loss while attending the March 1 NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and Johnny's former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. She gratefully applauded the NHL community for helping her power through. 

“These moments help me,” Meredith told ESPN per US Weekly during the game's intermission. “Everyone makes it really special, makes it enjoyable. And seeing the whole NHL, everything, a special moment for John is so nice to see. And it’s really nice to be a part of and have our whole family be a part of it.”

Meredith later stated that Johnny's impact on the game still "amazes her" to this day, especially seeing how many continue to honor his legacy. 

Johnny
Oct 22, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Oct 22, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; A patch honoring the late Johnny Gaudreau is seen on the jersey worn by Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) during a stop in play against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period at Nationwide Arena. | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

“It catches me off guard, but I’m like … I get it though. He was so special. And even I was with some of the Detroit wives today and they all were wearing his pin," she stated.

RELATED: Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith shows Team USA love before 4 Nations Final

The Blue Jackets paid special tribute to Johnny by singing to his son at the team's February 22 game against the Blackhawks. The team, along with the fans in attendance, serenaded Johnny Jr. with Happy Birthday as he had just turned one.

The NHL community's love for Johnny Gaudreau remains unmatched. 

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Joseph Galizia
JOSEPH GALIZIA

Joey is a Las Vegas based actor and circus performer. For the last seven years he's had the pleasure of covering pro-wrestling/MMA for multiple outlets, and is thrilled to bring that same skill set to Sports Illustrated. In that time, he's interviewed over 50 legendary names in the business, including UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock, acclaimed filmmaker Kevin Smith, and more.

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