Gaudreau's widow shares heartfelt thoughts in Father's Day tribute
Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of Johnny Gaudreau, penned a touching Father's Day tribute to the late NHL all-star and father of her three children.
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The piece, which was published on The Players' Tribune on Thursday, also revealed her initial reaction to learning about the tragedy that befell Johnny and his brother Matthew Gaudreau last August.
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The brothers, who were in their hometown of Salem, N.J., for their sister's wedding, were biking on the evening of Aug. 29, 2024, in nearby Oldmans Township when they were mowed down by a vehicle that was allegedly being operated by an impaired driver.
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'Katie (Gaudreau) called and she said something had happened, but she didn't know what exactly. My dad drove me over to your parents and I was thinking the whole time about how I was going to help you through whatever it could be that had happened to Matty. And then I walked up the front porch and learned the absolute worst had happened and that it was both of you,' Meredith wrote as if addressing a letter to Johnny.
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'I was in shock. I was keeled over for days sick to my stomach. It's completely indescribable. The only person who can relate to me is my own sister-in-law. I see her and my heart breaks for her. I'm sick for her.
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'We had just celebrated their gender reveal. We were all just down the shore together and had so much fun. Matty made me laugh so much that weekend.
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'I thought of our baby inside of me. I couldn't stand up. I was awake and having nightmares. Thinking of you in that moment. Thinking of Matty. It's just the worst thing I could have ever imagined.
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In the touching tribute, Meredith also shares stories about meeting the former Flames star, their wedding and the family's move to Columbus, Ohio, after he signed with the Blue Jackets before the 2022-23 season.
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