The late NHL star and his brother Matthew died in August 2024 after they were hit by an alleged drunk driver
Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty; Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Meredith Gaudreau shared a heartfelt photo of her kids celebrating her late husband Johnny Gaudreau’s birthday with a cake
- The NHL star and his brother Matthew were tragically killed in a biking accident in August 2023
- Meredith welcomed their third child, Carter, in April 2025 and honored Johnny with their son’s middle name
Johnny Gaudreau’s family is celebrating his birthday together.
On Thursday, Aug. 13, the late NHL star’s wife Meredith Gaudreau shared a photo on her Instagram Stories of her three kids — daughter Noa, 3, and sons Johnny Jr., 2, and Carter, whom she welcomed in April 2025 — as they celebrated what would have been Johnny’s 33rd birthday.
In the sweet photo, Meredith’s kids could be seen licking the frosting off a cake that read, “Happy Birthday Daddy.”
“So sorry you’re not here with us,” the mom of three wrote over the photo. “Happy birthday Daddy ❤️. We love you so much and did all ur favorite things these past few days ❤️.”
Credit: Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram
On Aug. 29, Johnny and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were biking in their hometown when a driver suspected to be under the influence of alcohol attempted to pass another car and fatally hit the brothers.
This past June, the widow of the late NHL star posted a picture on her Instagram Stories, showing her son Carter — who arrived in April 2025, seven months after Johnny’s death — in his crib surrounded by pictures of his late dad. In text over the photo, Meredith reflected on the moment, noting that Johnny was “very missed.”
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“Can’t make it up. Happy Father’s Day to ours, ur very missed 🩶,” she wrote.
During a memorial service for the Gaudreau brothers, Meredith announced that she was 9 weeks pregnant with Carter.
“John and I had the best six months as a family of four. These will forever be the best six months of my life,” Meredith said, according to ABC News. “There’s specifically one week that I will cherish forever — it will be my favorite week of my life out of those six months. We’re actually a family of five. I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby.”
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Meredith announced Carter’s arrival on April 7 via Instagram with a 14-photo carousel, including photos of the family in the delivery room and sweet photos with her three children.
“I had our third baby! 4/1/25. Another baby boy 🥹💙,” she wrote in the caption. “Carter Michael Gaudreau – same middle name as his daddy. 8lb 3 ounces, 20.5 inches – exact same as his daddy. He looks exactly like his daddy too 🥰.”
“I love you so much my baby!” Meredith added. “We are going to have so much fun. I can’t wait to give you the best life, my special boy forever.”
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