The children of late hockey star Johnny Gaudreau paid tribute to their father on Halloween.
His wife Meredith Gaudreau, who shares two children with him and is pregnant with their third, posted a touching image of their two-year-old daughter Noa and eight-month-old son Johnny Jr. posing in costumes chosen by their father. before his tragic death.
Noa dressed as Jessie from Toy Story, while her younger brother donned a Buzz Lightyear costume, while Meredith shared a photo on her Instagram story of the ‘Cuzzie Boo Crew’.
She added the iconic song ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’ to the post and captioned it ‘Costumes Daddy Wanted’ with two heart emojis.
The NHL star, 31, died alongside his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, 29, on August 29 after an alleged drunk driver, Sean Higgins, 43, crashed into them while riding their bikes on a road in Salem County, New Jersey, the night before his sister was getting married.
Johnny Gaudreau’s wife shared an image of her children wearing the costumes the late NHL star picked out for them before his tragic death in August. His daughter was Jessie and his son was Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story.
The NHL star, 31, died alongside his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, 29, on Aug. 29 after an alleged drunk driver, Sean Higgins, 43, hit them while they were riding a bike in the Salem County, New Jersey. (In the photo: Johnny, his wife and children)
Now, just three months after the brothers’ sudden deaths, the family has come together to honor them in every way possible as they continue to mourn the tremendous loss.
A beautiful funeral service was held for the brothers on September 9 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania.
The brothers’ widows paid tearful tributes to their husbands, remembering the close bond they shared as brothers and their dedication to their family.
Matthew’s wife, Madeline Gaudreau, who is pregnant with their son, recalled how the brothers “were joined at the hip.”
“John would take care of Matty, and Matty would take care of John… You wouldn’t hear one name without the other,” he said.
“I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be his wife,” Johnny’s wife Meredith said during a heartbreaking speech. “He was and still is my soulmate.”
Loved ones and dedicated fans began gathering at the church more than two hours before the service began.
Among those in attendance were teammates of Johnny, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, former Boston College coach Jerry York, and countless members of the hockey community.
During the service, Meredith shared in her eulogy that she was pregnant with her and Johnny’s third child.
A beautiful funeral service was held for the brothers on September 9 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania, as fans and family gathered to say goodbye to the brothers.
“In less than three years of marriage, we have created a family of five people,” he said. ‘It doesn’t even seem possible, but I see it as the ultimate blessing. How lucky I am to be a mother to John’s three babies; the last one was a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances.’
Meredith, who married Johnny in September 2021, added that when she shared the news with her husband, he was “smiling” and “very excited.”
Sean Higgins, 43, was charged with two counts of death by automobile, as well as reckless driving, possession of an open container and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
“I was so nervous because, again, this was a total surprise, but his reaction was to immediately kiss me and hug me,” Meredith said.
The Columbus Blue Jackets paid a touching tribute to their late teammate during the team’s first home game in October.
Meredith and her two sons walked onto the ice, along with Blue Jackets star and Gaudreau friend Sean Monahan, as the team raised a banner with Johnny’s name and No. 13 jersey to the rafters.
Fans cheered, both teams hit the ice with the traditional hockey salute, and his family watched from the sidelines, arms linked.
Before the puck dropped, the teams stood still as 13 seconds ticked off the clock, and with their left wing position vacant, the Blue Jackets sent four skaters onto the ice instead of the usual five.
The brothers are seen with their sister, Katie, who postponed their wedding after his death.
During the funeral, Meredith announced that she was pregnant with her and Johnny’s third child. (In the photo: the couple and their first daughter, Noa)
“I don’t want anyone to be sad,” Meredith said in a recorded message that was played shortly before the confrontation. ‘I want all of you to be inspired by the life John lived. That means loving your family first and foremost, and when the time comes to drop the puck, let’s love the game that John loved.”
Just weeks before that, Meredith confessed that it’s been “really hard” watching the hockey season start again after her husband’s death.
“It’s been so hard watching how hockey started and seeing how different my life is now,” he wrote in a heartbreaking Instagram post at the time.
‘My whole life was looking after John and our children. It’s all I ever wanted.
While Johnny was set to begin his third season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, his little brother Matthew was a former NCAA hockey star at Boston College.
He later became assistant head coach of his high school hockey team.
His wife Meredith had a baby shower last month for their son Tripp, who is due in December.
The venue was decked out in “heavenly themed” decorations as she shared pictures from the party and said, “My dream baby shower.”
‘…My husband would have loved all the balloons. “The way you were able to tie up my husband made me cry immediately when I walked in,” Meredith said.
Guy Gaudreau, the father of the deceased brothers, watches the hearse drive away after his son’s service on September 9.
The deceased siblings are seen with their mother, father and sister.
Higgins, the driver accused of taking the brothers’ lives, was legally intoxicated at the time of the fatal incident, according to New Jersey prosecutors.
He was charged with two counts of death by automobile, as well as reckless driving, possession of an open container and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. He has been denied bail in the case.
“You were probably driving like a crazy person, like I always tell you you do,” his wife told Higgins when he called her from jail after his arrest, according to Salem County First Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Flynn. “And you don’t listen to me, but just yell at me.”
The Woodstown, New Jersey, resident made a virtual court appearance where he was ordered to stand trial despite the objection of his attorneys, who argued that he was a married father and law-abiding citizen before the fatal crash.
“He is an empathetic person and a loving father of two daughters,” said Higgins’ attorney, Matthew Portella. “He’s a good person and he made a horrible decision that night.”
In documents seen by DailyMail.com, Higgins admitted to police that he drank “5 or 6 beers” before getting behind the wheel of his Jeep Grand Cherokee and crashing into the Gaudreau brothers.
The Columbus Blue Jackets paid a touching tribute to their late teammate during the team’s first home game in October as Meredith and her children walked on the ice.
He also failed a field sobriety test.
Prosecutors said Higgins had been drinking at home that day from 3 p.m. after having a disturbing conversation with a family member that day.
Flynn said Higgins became upset when two drivers in front of him slowed down to avoid the Gaudreaus as they pedaled their bicycles down a rural road. Higgins allegedly attempted to pass cars on the right side, which is when he ran into the Gaudreau brothers.
“He indicated he didn’t even see them,” said Superior Court Judge Michael J. Silvani.
Higgins has admitted that his “impatience” caused the deaths, according to Silvanio.
Silvanio has requested that Higgins remain in custody because he is considered a flight risk due to the long sentence he faces.
He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
