Meredith Gaudreau shares a heartfelt throwback photo of her late husband, Johnny Gaudreau

The hockey world continues to honor the legacy of Johnny Gaudreau, who tragically passed away last August alongside his brother, Matthew. Since their passing, the Gaudreau family and close friends have found ways to cherish their memories and keep their spirits alive.

On Friday, Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, shared a touching tribute on her Instagram stories. She reposted a Timehop memory from eight years ago, originally shared by Johnny’s sister, Kristen. The photo showed Johnny in a suit and black beanie, holding a young child dressed in a Calgary Flames jersey. The background featured an arena filled with fans, many wearing Flames gear. Meredith captioned the image with a red heart and a blue heart emoji, a small but significant nod to her late husband.

The loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau devastated the hockey community. On August 29, 2024, the brothers were struck by a truck while cycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. The driver, Sean Higgins, was allegedly intoxicated at the time. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Despite a plea deal offering a 35-year sentence, Higgins pleaded not guilty in January. His next court hearing is set for April 15, 2025.
Earlier this week, Meredith Gaudreau appeared on the Never Offside podcast, where she reflected on Johnny’s special bond with Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield. The two became close while playing for Team USA in Ustara, with Johnny often texting Meredith about their time together.
“I was actually trying to find our text messages about it too, cause he would text me being like—I was like, ‘How is it? What are you guys doing?’ Like, 'cause the time change was so weird.’ He was like, ‘I love Cole’. And, like, I was like, ‘What are you guys doing?’ He's like, ‘We just, like, play these video games’. Like, he's so funny.”
Caufield has been paying quiet tributes to Johnny this season, adding "ELOC 13" to his stick—a reference to Johnny's playful nickname for him, "COLE" spelled backward. These small yet meaningful gestures show just how much Johnny’s presence is still felt in the hockey world.
Also Read: Matthew Gaudreau’s wife shares heartfelt message while announcing ‘The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation’
As time passes, the love and memories of Johnny Gaudreau continue to shine, proving that his impact on the game and those around him will never fade.