Meredith Gaudreau Thanks Late Husband Johnny in Son’s Birthday Tribute

Late hockey star Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, is celebrating their son’s 1st birthday.

“Happy 1st Birthday to our baby boy! We love you so much, Baby Johnny! Already so strong and so special,” Meredith wrote via Instagram on Saturday, February 22. “‘I can’t believe you gave me a boy,’ is all John said over and over again when baby Johnny arrived. I couldn’t stop staring at how happy John was — one of the best moments of my life.”

She added, “Baby Johnny you are Mommy’s rock and Noa’s best friend. All of Daddy’s accomplishments don’t compare to the pride and joy he had in being your father.”

Johnny, who died in August 2024, and Meredith shared daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny, 12 months. Meredith is also currently pregnant with the couple’s third baby.

“I can’t wait to give you a little sibling soon! Everything for you, Baby Johnny,” Meredith continued in her social media upload. “We love you so much 💙!”

Meredith closed her note with an emotional message to her late spouse, writing, “Thank you, John, for giving me our boy. Thank you for our family. Crazy first year but today we celebrate.”

Meredith took the kids to watch a Columbus Blue Jackets hockey game — the team that Johnny played for ahead of his death — on Saturday. During the matchup, the crowd serenaded Johnny Jr. with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

“Thank you @bluejacketsnhl for helping make Johnny’s 1st birthday so special,” Meredith wrote via her Instagram Stories later on Saturday. “I know baby Johnny’s dad appreciates this and is proud of the big win!” (The Blue Jackets beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1.)

Johnny and his younger brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver in a biking accident last summer. They were 31 and 29, respectively.

In addition to Meredith and their children, Johnny is survived by the brothers’ parents and their two sisters. Matthew is also survived by his wife, Madeline Gaudreau, and their infant son, Tripp.

Madeline also shared a birthday tribute to her young nephew on Saturday.

“Happy Birthday Johnny, your Uncle Matty loves you sooooo much,” Madeline wrote via her Instagram Stories. “And Aunty Madeline loves you so much.”

Madeline gave birth to Tripp in December 2024, four months after Meredith revealed her current pregnancy during the brothers’ funeral.

“We’re actually a family of five,” Meredith said in her September 2024 eulogy. “I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby. A total surprise, but again, John was beaming and so excited. I was so nervous because this was, again, a total surprise. But his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me even though I was driving the car. After the initial excitement sank in, every time he looked at me, he would say, ‘You’re nuts, you know that? Three kids?’”