NHL Draft 2025: Meredith Gaudreau’s Emotional Standing Ovation
Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of late hockey participant Johnny Gaudreau, acquired a standing ovation whereas attending the 2025 NHL Draft.
On the Friday, June 27 occasion, which was held on the Peacock Theater at L.A. Stay in Los Angeles, Meredith took to the stage to announce the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first-round choose.
Whereas on stage, Meredith acquired loud applause and a standing ovation from the gang in attendance in an emotional second, per Right now. The gang additionally chanted her late husband’s title to point out their assist.
Meredith took the chance to thank everybody who had supported her and her household following the loss of life of Columbus Blue Jackets participant Johnny and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. The siblings each died in August 2024 after being fatally struck by a drunk driver whereas using bikes collectively. They had been 31 and 29, respectively.
“I simply wished to take this time to thank each single workforce and each single fan base on your assist for my household this previous season,” Meredith mentioned on stage, per footage revealed by way of Right now. “It’s really an honor to be right here and from the underside of my coronary heart, I thanks.”
The driving force who hit the Gaudreau brothers close to their hometown in New Jersey, Sean Higgins, now faces six expenses, together with aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular murder. He has pleaded not responsible on all expenses.
Johnny and Matthew’s deaths had been simply someday earlier than their sister Katie’s marriage ceremony in Philadelphia, which was postponed after the tragic incident. Each males had been scheduled to be groomsmen on the ceremony. Katie’s marriage ceremony has since been rescheduled to July 2025.
Meredith and Johnny Gaudreau Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram
Meredith was pregnant on the time of Johnny’s loss of life and gave delivery to their third youngster, son Carter, in April. The couple additionally shared daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny Jr., 15 months. In the meantime, Matthew’s widow, Madeline, gave delivery to their first youngster in December 2024, naming him Tripp Matthew in his father’s honor.
Earlier this month, Meredith opened up about her grief and spoke candidly in regards to the second she discovered her husband was lifeless in a poignant letter revealed within the Gamers’ Tribune.
Richard T Gagnon/Getty Photographs Meredith Gaudreau is feeling assist from the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames whereas mourning the deaths of her late husband, Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. “I wish to suppose that these two cities doing this for John on our marriage ceremony anniversary is further particular,” she wrote by way of her […]
“I used to be in shock. I used to be keeled over for days sick to my abdomen,” she wrote within the letter, revealed on June 12. “It’s fully indescribable. The one one who can relate to me is my very own sister-in-law. I see her and my coronary heart breaks for her.”
The Columbus Blue Jackets launched a press release shortly after information was reported of Johnny and Matthew’s deaths.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the franchise posted by way of X in August. “Johnny was not solely an awesome hockey participant, however extra considerably a loving father, son, brother and pal. We prolong our heartfelt sympathies to his spouse, Meredith, his youngsters Noa and Johnny, his mother and father, their household and associates on the sudden loss of life of Johnny and Matthew.”