As tributes pour in for tragic NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, a heartbreaking final photo has surfaced on social media of him with his wife Meredith and children Noa and Johnny Jr.
Gaudreau died Thursday at age 31 after being struck by a drunk driver while riding his bike with his brother Matthew, 29, in Oldhams Township, New Jersey.
The tragic incident occurred on the eve of their sister’s wedding. Both brothers were scheduled to be groomsmen for Katie and Devin on Friday in Philadelphia.
Now, an emotional final photo has surfaced on Meredith’s social media, showing Johnny posing for the last time in his Columbus Blue Jackets uniform.
The photo was taken after the last game of the season in April. Johnny is holding Johnny Jr. and Meredith is holding Noa.
Johnny Gaudreau poses with his wife Meredith and their two children Noa and Johnny Jr.
Meredith also stood under a banner with a picture of Johnny in the hockey arena
The caption on the post reads: ‘Last game of the season tonight. Love our man so much.’
In a second photo, Meredith and the children stand in the arena under a banner with Johnny’s image. In the third photo, Noa looks up at her father in a large stained glass window.
Meredith has still not broken her silence about the tragic incident, which occurred almost six months after the birth of their second child.
On August 22, she posted the message “2 under 2 life here we come” after the birth of Johnny Jr., along with a photo of her and Johnny Sr. with the newborn baby.
Johnny and Meredith got married in September 2021, a year after he popped the question
Johnny, an NHL veteran, played the past two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets
The driver – 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins 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 manslaughter in a traffic accident without bail or bail
Meredith and Johnny got married in September 2021.
On Friday morning, the Columbus Blue Jackets released a statement confirming Gaudreau’s passing. Gaudreau had been one of the team’s best players since signing him to a $68 million contract in 2022.
It read: “The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but most importantly, a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.
‘We extend our sincere condolences to his wife Meredith, his children Noa and Johnny, his parents, their 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 officers 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 the game with a passion that was evident to everyone who saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love of hockey to everywhere he played, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets.
“He made fans happy in a way that only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was immense, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.
“Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and will do everything we can to support his family and each other during this tragedy.
“We ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve.”