The Columbus Blue Jackets are committed to having their teammate’s back in this life and beyond.
National Hockey League (NHL) star and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau (affectionately known as “Johnny Hockey”) tragically passed away on August 29 alongside his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, after they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while out riding bikes. The 31-year-old left behind a family of five, including daughter Noa, son Johnny and his wife Meredith, with a little one on the way.
As Noa prepared to celebrate her second birthday—the first without her dad—the Blue Jackets rallied to show their love. More than 20 players and their families came together to celebrate, complete with a giant yard sign. “Happy birthday sweet Noa. Sending so much love from your Jackets family,” Sarah Gudbranson, wife of player Erik Gudbranson, captioned a photo of the Blue Jackets family on her Instagram story.
Just weeks after Gaudreau passed away his widow Meredith Gaudreau announced that she is pregnant with the couple’s third child. “John and I had the best six months as a family of four. These will forever be the best six months of my life,” Meredith shared at her husband’s memorial service, according to ABC News. “There’s specifically one week that I will cherish forever — it will be my favorite 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 went on the describe her late husband’s reaction to the big baby news saying it was a “total surprise” but he was “beaming and so excited.” “His reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me,” she recalled, noting that they had just welcomed their second child, Johnny, seven months ago. Their eldest, Noa, will turn two in October.
