Sweet video of Johnny Gaudreau’s toddler daughter surfaces weeks after NHL star’s passing
Keeping his legacy alive, just as the Blue Jackets look to do this season:
It’s been a few weeks since Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew tragically died when they were stuck and killed by a drunk driver while riding bikes in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on August 29, on the eve of their sister’s wedding, where both brothers were to be groomsmen.
The grief and pain remains, and the Blue Jackets announced earlier on Wednesday their preliminary plans to remember Johnny and Matthew. General manager Don Waddell revealed that Johnny Gaudreau’s dressing-room stall will be kept intact and a jersey will be placed there every game, in addition to all players wearing a special sticker featuring GAUDREAU, two doves between the numbers 13, which Johnny wore throughout his career, and 21, which Matthew wore at Boston College, and a patch featuring Johnny’s No. 13 on their jerseys.
“He will be a presence with us.”
On top of that, proceeds from the team’s 50/50 draw raised during the first game will go to the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation.
Teammate Sean Monahan, who signed as a free agent in Columbus this summer in order to once again play with his best friend Johnny Gaudreau spoke with media as well and stated:
“He’s one of those people you can’t really replace. Not many people like him to be honest. It’s hard but he’s going to be on my mind for the rest of my life—try to carry on his legacy. He’s going to be missed.”
Johnny’s toddler daughter Noa also looks, in her own adorable way, to carry on her dad’s hockey legacy. On Monday, Katie Gaudreau, the younger sister of brothers Johnny and Matthew shared a sweet video of her young niece following in her late father’s footsteps.
In an Instagram Reel shared to Katie’s Instagram Story, Noa, who turns two next month, can be seen playing floor hockey with a mini goal and tennis ball puck. They can be seen celebrating a goal.
“Noa loves her Auntie Katie,” is written over the sweet video, which was originally shared by one of Katie’s friends.
Last Monday, the Gaudreau brothers were put to rest in a very emotional ceremony. The widowed wives of the brothers shared emotional tributes of their husbands. Both women are expecting with Mederith Gaudreau being nine weeks pregnant with her and Johnny’s third baby.
“Noa, our oldest, hasn’t even turned 2 yet. In less than three years of marriage, we’ve created a family of five. 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.”
When it comes to their future in hockey, Meredith spoke a bit about it to her husband in her eulogy.
“John, I promise to have baby Johnny on skates soon and to be a dedicated hockey mom that drives any distance to all the tournaments,” Meredith said at the September 9 ceremony, held at St. Mary Magdalen Parish outside Philadelphia. “I’ll wake up early for the games, even if that means baby Johnny shows up in Winnie-the-Pooh pajamas and sleeps on the bench, just like you did.”
She was quick to note that there was “no pressure”:
“Mommy and Daddy will be proud of you no matter where life takes you.”
