Johnny Gaudreau's widow pens heartbreaking Father's Day tribute to late NHL star
Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, is paying tribute to her late husband ahead of Father's Day.
The mom of three penned a personal essay, in the form of a letter addressed to her husband, for The Players' Tribune, published Thursday. In it, she opened up about their life together, starting with how she met the former Calgary Flames winger for the first time.
"I remember how everyone gravitated toward you. Everyone wanted to be near you. To see you. And I was like, Who is this guy? I didn't know a thing about you," Meredith Gaudreau wrote.
As they spent more time together, Meredith Gaudreau explained she came to know "just John" and said she knew early on that she was going to marry him.
"You were perfect. My dream guy," wrote Meredith Gaudreau.
The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation co-president described her husband's love for Calgary, his dedication to being a dad to their two older kids -- Noa and Johnny Jr., their move to Ohio after Johnny Gaudreau joined the Columbus Blue Jackets and more.
Meredith Gaudreau also opened up about learning the news that her husband and brother-in-law Matthew Gaudreau had died after they were both struck while riding bikes by a driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, according to police.
"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," she recalled. "And then I walked up the front porch and learned the absolute worst had happened and that it was both of you."
"There aren't any words to go here. I was in shock," she continued. "I was keeled over for days sick to my stomach. It's completely indescribable."
Despite the unfathomable, life has continued for Meredith Gaudreau and she also shared a new update about their third child, whom she gave birth to two months ago on April 1.
"And Carter, he looks exactly like you, too. How lucky am I for that? I wish so badly that you could meet your son," Meredith Gaudreau wrote.
"I look at him and can't help but think of you and without fail he gives me a smile that makes my day every time. John, I wish you could have held him. I think about it every day."
In her lengthy letter, Meredith Gaudreau also addressed her late brother-in-law and shared updates on his family.
"Tell Matty I say Happy First Father's Day! Matty — your boy is perfect. He has your eyes," she wrote. "[Your wife] Madeline is truly the best mom. We miss you so much. Noa's godfather, who never showed up without little presents. Such an amazing uncle, who obviously would have been an amazing father."
Meredith Gaudreau ended her essay on a note of love and gratitude, thanking their family, "all of Columbus, Calgary, and the whole hockey community" and the "man of my dreams."
"You were the best spouse, my life partner forever. Happy first Father's Day as a father of three!" she wrote. "Thank you for the very best years of my life. Thank you for making us a family. Thank you for being my best friend, my favorite person, the man of my dreams. I love you so much. Forever and ever."
