The Daily Populous Tuesday September 10th, 2024 evening edition
Authored by abcnews.go.com and submitted by lala_b11

The brothers were riding bikes when they were struck and killed by a driver.

The widow of Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith Gaudreau, announced her pregnancy with their third child at Monday's memorial service for Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau.

"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 Gaudreau said at the service. "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."

Meredith Gaudreau, wife of Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player John Gaudreau speaks at his funeral at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pa., Sept. 9, 2024. ABC News

She called the pregnancy a "total surprise."

"John was beaming and so excited," she said. "His reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me."

Johnny Gaudreau of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena on Jan. 2, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. Kirk Irwin/Getty Images, FILE

Their first child, daughter Noa Harper Gaudreau, was born Sept. 30, 2022. Their second, son Johnny Edward Gaudreau, was born Feb. 22.

"Noa, our oldest, hasn't even turned 2 yet. In less than three years of marriage, we've created a family of five," Meredith Gaudreau said at the memorial service. "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."

Meredith Gaudreau, wife of Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player John Gaudreau carries their children Noa and Johnny as she arrives for his funeral at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pa., Sept. 9, 2024. Matt Rourke/AP

"To my babies, daddy loves you all so much and you have the best daddy in the world," she said.

On Aug. 29, Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were riding bikes in Salem County, New Jersey, when they were struck and killed by a driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, according to police. The suspected driver was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto, according to police.

Guy Gaudreau looks into a hearse containing the remains of his son Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player John Gaudreau after he and his brother's Matthew Gaudreau funeral at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pa., Sept. 9, 2024. Matt Rourke/AP

Matthew Gaudreau's wife, Madeline Gaudreau, is also pregnant with their first child.

"This last week has felt like I’ve been trapped in a nightmare I can’t wake up from," Madeline Gaudreau said at the memorial service. "I feel numb, angry, sad, blessed all at once. Some days the thought of this new reality is debilitating. But mostly, I just miss Matt."

"The 14 years we spent together will never be enough, but I will cherish those and carry them close to me, especially on the extremely hard days," she said.

The remains of Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player John Gaudreau his and his brother Matthew's funeral at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pa., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Matt Rourke/AP

"He was born to be a dad," Madeline Gaudreau said. "The moment we found out about our son Tripp, it consumed his every day. He was downloading apps, ordering books, finding the best diaper brand, making sure I had the best vitamins and asking for tips from John. I will never forget the tears he had in his eyes when he first heard Tripp’s heartbeat."

"I know Matt will surround his son for the rest of his life," she said through tears.

She said she hopes her son and Meredith Gaudreau's baby, Johnny, have the same bond their dads did.

Brothers Johnny Gaudreau (R) and Matthew Gaudreau of the Boston College Eagles celebrate after the Eagles beat the Northeastern University Huskies to win their fifth Beanpot Championship, Feb. 10, 2014, in Boston. Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images

To Meredith Gaudreau, she said, "I promise that I will always be there for you and the kids."

Madeline Gaudreau also made a point at the service to urge people to not drink and drive.

"Please do not put another family through this torture," she said.

Mourners arrive for a funeral for Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player John Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pa., Sept. 9, 2024. Matt Rourke/AP

The Gaudreau brothers died the night before their sister, Katie, was set to get married, according to their former coaches.

The brothers were "always side by side" and "absolute best friends," Meredith Gaudreau wrote on Instagram two days after their deaths.

"I don't think John could live a day without you so I'm comforted knowing you are of course together in heaven," she said in a message to her brother-in-law.

"Matty, thank you for loving our babies like your own and for being such an amazing uncle and godfather," she added, pledging to take care of his wife, Madeline, and their future son.

"Please continue to take care of John like you always have. I got Madeline and Tripp," she said.

031209 on September 9th, 2024 at 23:23 UTC »

The pictures of Johnny and Matty's parents are just gut wrenching. The pain in their faces. I can't imagine.

cobalt_phantom on September 9th, 2024 at 22:26 UTC »

So a drunk driver killed both him and his brother a day before their sister's wedding and both of their wives were pregnant.

This shit is so tragic and infuriating. A selfish decision by the driver has caused pain and sorrow for not only their families but people around the world and he'll likely get a sentence that isn't even close to fair. It also sucks that if the victim wasn't famous, we'd probably never hear of it outside of local news. The driver could have been any drunk asshole, from your alcoholic neighbor to Justin Timberlake, yet we still only give people with DUIs a slap on the wrist. Sorry for the rant, it just pisses me off.

xvandamagex on September 9th, 2024 at 21:46 UTC »

Life is fucking cruel.