Johnny Gaudreau’ widow Meredith makes emotional post following Team USA’s loss at 4 nations

Johnny Gaudreau was honored several times during the 4 Nations Face-Off. Before Thursday’s championship between Team USA and Canada, honorary U.S. captain Mike Eruzione met Canadian honorary captain Wayne Gretzky at center ice, and wore a U.S. jersey with Gaudreau’s No. 13 and name on the back.

Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed Aug. 29 after being struck by a vehicle while riding bicycles near their home in Salem County, New Jersey. Their memories have been honoured on different occasions, and each time, they mean so much to the Gaudreau family.

On Thursday night, Johnny’s widow Meredith Gaudreau posted an emotional message on her personal social media accounts about the fans’ tribute during Thursday’s game. “Kept thinking how I can’t wait to show these videos to our kids one day,” she wrote.

Matthew Gaudreau’s widow, Madeline, also reposted the video, adding how Johnny deserves the love and how she also misses him.

Meredith Gaudreau is pregnant with the couple’s third child. It was at Johnny’s, and his younger brother Matthew’s, memorial in September that she announced her pregnancy. She said her late husband “was beaming and so excited” about becoming a family of five.

Tragically, the Gaudreau brothers were struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding bikes in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on August 29, on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding, where both brothers were to be groomsmen.

Johnny was 31 years old at the time of his death, while Matthew was 29. Meredith Gaudreau and Johnny also shared daughter Noa and son Johnny. Matthew Gaudreau’s wife, Madeline, gave birth to the the couple’s first child, a son named Tripp, who was born in late December.

For the entire 4-nations tournament, a blue USA jersey bearing “GAUDREAU” and No. 13 hung on the wall in the United States dressing room.

Johnny played 11 seasons in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames. Matthew played professionally for five seasons in the American Hockey League, ECHL and Sweden. They both played at Boston College, and so it was even more emotional to hear the Boston crowd chant his name during the final.

Unfortunately for the Americans, Team Canada won 3-2 in overtime, but you just know how much Johnny Gaudreau would have loved to represent his country and how proud he is of his players.