Teammates of Late Johnny Gaudreau Celebrate His Daughter's 2nd Birthday

The Columbus Blue Jackets are committed to having their teammate’s back in this life and beyond.

National Hockey League (NHL) star and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau (affectionately known as “Johnny Hockey”) tragically passed away on August 29 alongside his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, after they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while out riding bikes. The 31-year-old left behind a family of five, including daughter Noa, son Johnny and his wife Meredith, with a little one on the way.

As Noa prepared to celebrate her second birthday—the first without her dad—the Blue Jackets rallied to show their love. More than 20 players and their families came together to celebrate, complete with a giant yard sign. “Happy birthday sweet Noa. Sending so much love from your Jackets family,” Sarah Gudbranson, wife of player Erik Gudbranson, captioned a photo of the Blue Jackets family on her Instagram story.

Image: @sarahsweetnam | Instagram

Just weeks after Gaudreau passed away his widow Meredith Gaudreau announced that she is pregnant with the couple’s third child. “John and I had the best six months as a family of four. These will forever be the best six months of my life,” Meredith shared at her husband’s memorial service, according to ABC News. “There’s specifically one week that I will cherish forever — it will be my favorite week of my life out of those six months. We’re actually a family of five. I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby.”

Gaudreau went on the describe her late husband’s reaction to the big baby news saying it was a “total surprise” but he was “beaming and so excited.” “His reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me,” she recalled, noting that they had just welcomed their second child, Johnny, seven months ago. Their eldest, Noa, will turn two in October.

“In less than three years of marriage, we’ve created a family of five,” Meredith added. “It doesn’t even sound possible, but I look at it as the ultimate blessing. How lucky am I to be the mother of John’s three babies? Our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances."

The loss of Johnny and Matthew has reverberated through the family, as they were in New Jersey to serve as groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding, which was scheduled for the day after their tragic deaths. Matthew’s widow, Madeline, is also expecting their first child, a son to be named Tripp. Madeline spoke at the memorial as well, expressing her sorrow and asking others to think twice before drinking and driving. “I urge everyone to not drink and drive,” she said. “Please don’t put another family through this torture.”

A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support Madeline in the wake of the tragedy, with nearly $775,000 raised to date. As both women prepare to welcome new lives into the world, they continue to honor their husbands’ memories while facing the difficult road ahead.

Meredith closed her heartfelt tribute by sharing a message to her children: “To my babies, daddy loves you all so much and you have the best daddy in the world.”