Meredith Gaudreau has dedicated the past year to honoring her late husband, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, in so many meaningful ways—from raising their three kids to keeping his legacy alive through the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation. Meredith has really found ways to keep Johnny’s spirit alive, whether it’s through heartfelt tributes on social media, making sure their kids wear those Halloween costumes he picked out before he passed, or celebrating his memory at NHL events.
Her resilience has really stood out for grieving fans, but underneath that public strength, there’s a personal challenge in trying to explain loss to a child who’s just too young to grasp it all. During a recent interview with ABC News’ Will Reeve, Meredith shared how their 2-year-old daughter, Noa, is starting to understand that her father isn’t around, and it really highlighted the struggle they’ve been facing.
“My daughter’s catching on. She’s two, and she asks for him a lot, but she says, ‘Daddy’s in heaven,’ and I’m starting to explain to her what heaven is, really, because she, you know, wants to go to heaven, and she says, ‘I want him to come back,’ or ‘Let’s call him.’ She knows his birthday’s coming up. I catch her saying happy birthday to him already,” Meredith shared, her voice tinged with both love and sorrow.
Noa’s innocent questions, like wishing Johnny a happy birthday ahead of time, highlight the bittersweet struggle of parenting while dealing with grief, where each milestone serves as a reminder of what could have been.
On August 29, 2024, the Gaudreau family faced a heartbreaking tragedy when Johnny and his brother Matthew lost their lives in an accident involving an alleged drunk driver while they were biking in New Jersey, just a day before their sister’s wedding. Back then, Meredith was expecting their third child, Carter, who arrived seven months later. Noa, their oldest, is the one who really feels the loss the hardest. Meredith has been keeping track of their nightly routine of watching videos of Johnny playing hockey, something Noa asks for, cheering him on from the screen as if he were right there with them.
Credit: Instagram.com/ meredithgaudreau
Meredith really shows her strength, not only as a widow but also as a mother who’s committed to making sure her kids feel their father’s love. From starting the Gaudreau brothers’ foundation to sharing Johnny’s stories with Noa, she’s transformed her grief into a powerful legacy of resilience. And there was this other really special moment that happened recently.
Johnny Gaudreau’s daughter was locked into the moment
Almost a year after the heartbreaking loss of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, Meredith Gaudreau stepped into a moment of public celebration and remembrance at the 2025 NHL Draft.
When she got up to announce the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first-round pick, Jackson Smith, the atmosphere at home was filled with surprising warmth and a touch of nostalgia—especially thanks to her little daughter, Noa. Noa, just two years old, was glued to the TV, clapping and cheering, “Go Mommy go! Go Mommy go!”
Her joy filled the room even further when she climbed out of her chair to give an in-person round of applause for her mom, who had just received a standing ovation. That quick, sweet moment turned out to be one of the most emotional and memorable highlights of the evening—showing just how lasting Johnny’s legacy is and how strong his family is, even in their grief.
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