Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of late NHL star Johnny who was tragically killed in a bike crash , has announced that she is pregnant with his third child.
Johnny Gaudreau died aged 31 along with his 29-year-old brother Matthew after the pair were struck by an SUV while riding bikes on a New Jersey roadway. The incident happened on August 29 , and police arrested a man on suspicion of drunk driving .
Gaudreau was a major NHL star and played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his death has been heavily mourned by the leagues, its players, and fans. Gaudreau left behind his wife and two children, but during his funeral on Monday it was announced that Meredith was expecting another baby.
"We are actually a family of five," an emotional Meredith announced at the funeral. "John and I had the best six months as a family of four. These will forever be the best six months of my life. There's specifically one week that I will cherish forever -- it will be my favourite week of my life out of those six months. We're actually a family of five. I'm in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby."
Gaudreau still had plenty of years left in the NHL, and was entering the third year of a seven-year $68.25 million deal he signed with the Blue Jackets on the opening day of free agency in 2022. Rumours started circling social media on the night of Gaudreau's death, and they were confirmed on Friday morning after the Blue Jackets released a statement.
"The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy," the team wrote. "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. Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone who 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. He thrilled 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."
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