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Meredith Gaudreau Welcomes Third Child Following Tragic Loss
Meredith Gaudreau, widow of the late NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, recently shared the joyful news of the arrival of their third child, just seven months after the tragic death of her husband. The announcement came via her Instagram account, revealing that their new baby boy was born on April 1.
In her heartfelt post, Meredith expressed how much the newborn resembles his late father. “I had our third baby! 4/1/25 Another baby boy, Carter Michael Gaudreau – same middle name as his daddy,” she wrote. She went on to share details of his birth weight and length, stating, “8 lb 3 oz, 20.5 inches – exact same as his daddy. He looks exactly like his daddy too.”
Meredith conveyed her deep love for her son and her commitment to providing him the best life possible. “I can’t wait to give you the best life, my special boy forever,” she added.
Reflecting on her late husband, she said, “John, thank you for giving me our beautiful family. We love you, Daddy, and miss you so much.”
Back in September 2024, during an emotional eulogy at Johnny’s memorial service, Meredith revealed she was expecting their third child. “We’re actually a family of five,” she noted, referencing their two other children, Noa and Johnny. She shared that her pregnancy came as a surprise, but Johnny was excited at the news. “His reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me,” she recalled, recalling how he jokingly questioned the prospect of having three children.
Despite the couple’s brief marriage, Meredith spoke about the blessings of family, emphasizing how fortunate she felt to be the mother of Johnny’s three children, viewing her third pregnancy as particularly special given the circumstances.
The Tragic Loss of Johnny Gaudreau
Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew tragically lost their lives in a collision with an SUV driven by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles in New Jersey last August. Their funeral occurred just eleven days following the tragic incident, which took place the night before they were scheduled to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding.
During the memorial, Meredith’s sister-in-law, Madeline Gaudreau, who was also expecting, further emphasized the impact of their loss. Just months prior, Madeline had announced her own pregnancy with Matthew, who was eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child.
As the developments unfolded, Sean M. Higgins, the driver charged in connection with the Gaudreau brothers’ deaths, has attempted to dismiss the charges against him, claiming the brothers had been drinking prior to the crash. He faces serious charges, including two counts of death by auto, with a blood-alcohol level recorded at .087 at the time of the incident.
Johnny Gaudreau’s Legacy in the NHL
Johnny Gaudreau was recognized as a skilled player in the NHL, drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2011. His NHL career began in earnest in 2014, shortly after his college career, and he quickly made his mark by being named to the league’s all-rookie team in his first full season. Gaudreau achieved numerous accolades throughout his career, including a record-setting season in 2021-22 with 40 goals and 115 points, culminating in a multi-million dollar contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets the following offseason.
Despite his untimely passing, Johnny’s memory continues to influence those who knew him and to embody the spirit of family and love he cherished deeply.
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globalnews.ca