As tributes pour in for tragic NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, a heartbreaking final image of him with his wife Meredith and sons Noa and Johnny Jr. has emerged on social media.
Gaudreau died at the age of 31 on Thursday after being hit by a drunk driver while riding a bicycle with his brother Matthew, 29, in Oldhams Township, New Jersey.
The tragic incident occurred on the eve of their sister’s wedding, when both brothers were set to be best men at Katie and Devin’s wedding in Philadelphia on Friday.
Now, one last emotional photo has surfaced on Meredith’s social media, featuring Johnny posing in his Columbus Blue Jackets uniform for the last time.
The photo was taken after the last game of the season in April, with Johnny holding Johnny Jr. and Meredith holding Noa.
Johnny Gaudreau poses with his wife Meredith and their two sons Noa and Johnny Jr.
Meredith was also standing beneath a banner with Johnny’s photo inside the hockey arena.
The caption accompanying the post reads: “Last game of the season tonight. We love our boy so much.”
In a second photo, Meredith and the children are seen standing in the sand under a banner with Johnny’s image, and a third photo shows Noa looking up at her father in a huge stained glass window.
Meredith has yet to break her silence on the tragic incident, which comes nearly six months after the birth of her second child.
On August 22, she posted ‘2 under 2 life here we come’ after Johnny Jr’s arrival, along with a photo of her and Johnny Sr with the newborn.
Johnny and Meredith tied the knot in September 2021, a year after he popped the question.
Johnny, an NHL veteran, had spent the last two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The driver, Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey (pictured), is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide without bail.
Meredith and Johnny tied the knot in September 2021.
On Friday morning, the Columbus Blue Jackets released a statement to confirm the death of Gaudreau, who had emerged as one of the team’s top players since his arrival on a $68 million contract in 2022.
It said: ‘The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more importantly, a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, his family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.
Matthew (left) and Johnny (right) both plied their trade on the ice at Boston College.
New Jersey State Police troopers confirmed they responded to a crash at 8:19 p.m.
The two brothers were struck and killed by another vehicle on Pennsville Auburn Road.
‘Johnny played with a joy that was felt by everyone who watched him on the ice. He brought a genuine love of hockey with him wherever he played, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets.
‘He thrilled fans in a way that only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but it pales in comparison to the indelible impression he left on all who knew him.
‘Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him dearly and do everything we can to support his family and ourselves during this tragedy.
‘At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve.’