Meredith Gaudreau says she is doing “okay” seven months after the untimely and shocking death of her husband Johnny Gaudreau — and the hockey community is a big part of the reason why.
“These moments help me,” Meredith told ESPN during the intermission at the Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings game on Saturday, March 1. “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 went on to say that her late husband’s impact “amazes me” to this day. “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.”
Johnny and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were killed by an alleged drunk driver in August 2024 while they were biking in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, just one day before their sister was scheduled to get married.
Meredith and her two children helped lead the Blue Jackets onto the ice during Saturday night’s game. Meredith — who wore a white Blue Jackets letterman-style jacket in honor of her husband — is also pregnant with the pair’s third child.
Johnny’s former teammates also offered their own tribute. The team arrived at the game wearing his “signature fit” — a blue hoodie, black pants, black Ugg boots and a black cap.
“His style was definitely more unique, more laidback,” the team’s defenseman Zach Werenski said via NHL.com on Saturday. “He wore the same stuff all the time. I think that’s what made him in a sense a special person, how laid back he was. Part of that was his style. We just thought it was a great idea to dress like him.”
Meredith was also in on the plan and helped the team source everything they needed for the big reveal. The team’s captain Boone Jenner told NHL.com Meredith “helped us a lot with pictures” and she also managed to get the required sweatshirts from the Avalon Surf Shop in Avalon, New Jersey.
“When we see these outfits we think of him and it reminds us of him,” Jenner also said. “It’s very special to us. We wanted to make sure we put the right pieces in to honor him the right way, the whole fit. I think it’s a good tribute the way it’s done. It’s not hockey equipment, just street clothes, more the person he was and the good memories we have.”
