‘Thank you for the best years of my life’: Johnny Gaudreau’s wife shares Instagram message

A heartfelt message from one of the most important people in Johnny Gaudreau’s life.

Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of the late Columbus Blue Jackets star, penned a message on Instagram on Saturday, less than two days after her husband’s death.

“Thank you for the best years of my life,” Meredith wrote. “Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I 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’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”

It is Meredith’s first public comment of any kind since the tragedy.

The Gaudreaus were married in September 2021. Since then, they have had two kids–Noa was born in 2022, while Johnny was born in February.

Johnny and his brother, and former Boston College teammate, Matthew, were struck and killed while riding their bicycles in Salem County, N.J., on Thursday night. Johnny was 31 and Matthew was 29.

Their deaths have led to an immediate response, not just from the hockey world and beyond. Thousands of posts have come out on social media sharing condolences with the Gaudreau family and friends. From messages from Johnny’s former teams, including the Calgary Flames, to posts by the likes of LeBron James and Mike Trout, many are saddened by the sudden loss of the brothers.

Johnny and Matthew’s uncle, Jim, released a statement on Friday, the day their sister was scheduled to get married. Memorials were created outside of Nationwide Arena, the home of the Blue Jackets, and the Scotiabank Saddledome, the Flames’ home arena.

According to police in New Jersey, 43-year-old Sean Higgins has been charged with two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, improper passing, as well as having an open container in his vehicle and consuming alcohol while driving. A warrant for a blood toxicology test was issued, with Higgins is being housed in Salem County Correctional Facility.