Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith shared a heartbreaking tribute to the late NHL star on their third wedding anniversary.
Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, died last Thursday after being struck by a vehicle while riding their bikes in New Jersey the night before their sister Katie’s wedding.
And three years after the day Johnny and Meredith exchanged vows, Meredith wrote him an emotional message on her… Instagram page.
“I never post this much but John deserves it. 3 years ago today I became yours forever,” Meredith began.
‘One of the best days of my life, including the night we got engaged and the days we brought our babies into the world. The day I met you I remember saying to myself, “Oh my God, I’m going to marry him.” And each day that passed after that just got better. I love you forever, John, and I’m so proud to be your wife.’
Gaudreau, 31 (pictured with his wife Meredith and younger brother Matthew, 29), died last Thursday after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle in New Jersey.
Meredith shared a touching tribute to her partner on Instagram on their third wedding anniversary.
Johnny leaves behind his wife Meredith and two children: daughter Noa (second from right), one year old, and son Johnny, six months old (bottom left).
The driver who killed Johnny and Matthew, Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide without bail and is alleged to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
In documents seen by DailyMail.com, alleged drunk driver Higgins admitted to police he drank “5 or 6 beers” before getting behind the wheel of his Jeep Grand Cherokee and crashing into the Gaudreau brothers.
The crash happened less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home, hours before Katie was due to marry her partner Devin Joyce.
Meredith had previously written on social media: ‘Thank you for the best years of my life. Even though I lost you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so much.
‘You were perfect. Some days it seemed too good to be true. I love every little thing about you. You are my eternal life and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.’
Tributes to both Gaudreau brothers poured in throughout the weekend as the hockey world continues to grapple with the tragedy.
Thousands of fans wrote tributes to the late NHL veteran Johnny Gaudreau at the home of his former team, the Calgary Flames.
Meredith wrote in a message: ‘I love you forever John and I am so proud to be your wife.’
TO GoFundMe A fund has been set up for Matthew Gaudreau’s wife, Madeline, to help her and their growing son, Tripp.
The fund’s goal of $30,000 has been surpassed and, as of this writing, more than $590,000 has been raised.
There was also a moving turnout of thousands of grieving fans at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the home stadium of the Calgary Flames, Gaudreau’s former team.
Fans wrote messages in honor of Gaudreau in chalk, while the team shared an incredible aerial view of the crowd.
Gaudreau spent the first nine of his 11 NHL seasons with the Flames before spending two years with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Matthew was a professional hockey player in the ECHL.
