The widow of Johnny Gaudreau called her husband 鈥渢he absolute best dad in the world鈥 and thanked him for 鈥渢he best years of my life鈥 in two Instagram posts paying tribute to the NHL player who was killed when his bicycle was struck by a car on the eve of his sister鈥檚 wedding.
鈥淒espite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours,鈥 Meredith Gaudreau said Saturday that was accompanied by several photos of the couple. 鈥淚 love you so, so much. You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can鈥檛 wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.鈥
A included photos of Johnny Gaudreau with their children.
鈥淭he absolute best dad in the world,鈥 she said. 鈥淪o caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with. John never missed a single appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa鈥檚 eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so, so much, daddy.鈥
Gaudreau and his younger brother, Matt, were killed Thursday night when they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while they were riding bikes in Oldmans Township, close to their southern New Jersey hometown of Carneys Point. Johnny, 31, and Matt, 29, were supposed to serve as groomsmen at their sister Katie鈥檚 wedding, which was scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia. The wedding was called off.
鈥淭he boys grew up here,鈥 said Wayne Pelura, a Carneys Point Township committee member. 鈥淭hey were involved in youth sports here. Everybody knows them. Everybody knows the sisters. It鈥檚 just a sad, sad situation.鈥
Police said the driver was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Johnny Gaudreau, played 10 full seasons in the NHL and was set to enter his third with the Columbus Blue Jackets after signing a seven-year, $68 million deal in 2022. He played his first eight seasons with the Calgary Flames.
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Associated Press reporter Julie Walker contributed to this report.
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