Johnny Gaudreau’s Wife Meredith And Their Three Children Continue His Legacy After His 2024 Tragedy

Johnny Gaudreau’s wife was expecting their third child when the NHL star tragically passed away in August 2024.

Johnny Gaudreau’s legacy continues through the family he built — his wife Meredith and their three children — who carry forward his memory both privately and publicly.

After first meeting in 2018, the late NHL standout and Meredith married in September 2021. They welcomed their first child, daughter Noa, in September 2022, and expanded their family again in February 2024 with the birth of their son, Johnny Jr.

On Aug. 29, 2024, Johnny and his brother Matthew were killed after being struck by an alleged drunk driver while riding their bikes. During a memorial service honoring both brothers, Meredith revealed she was nine weeks pregnant. She later gave birth to their third child, son Carter, in April 2025.

Since Johnny’s passing, Meredith and their children have continued to celebrate his life and impact. In a deeply personal essay published in The Players’ Tribune in June 2025, Meredith expressed gratitude for “the very best years of my life” and thanked him for “making us a family.”

Meredith and the children traveled to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics to support the U.S. men’s hockey team — a team Johnny had been on track to join. After Team USA captured gold on Feb. 22, Noa and Johnny Jr. stepped onto the ice holding their father’s No. 13 jersey alongside the players.

Here’s a closer look at Johnny Gaudreau’s wife and their three children.

She Is A James Madison University Graduate

Meredith earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from James Madison University in 2015, according to her Instagram profile.

As she shared in her essay for The Players’ Tribune, she later worked at a children’s hospital in Avalon, New Jersey, before continuing her career in a neonatal intensive care unit in Philadelphia.

They Met In 2018

Meredith and Johnny first crossed paths in the summer of 2018 when she answered the door at a friend’s birthday party, a story she later recounted in her essay for The Players’ Tribune.

She later reflected on discovering he was a highly regarded hockey player, admitting that to her, he was simply “John.”

Meredith has also shared that shortly after they began dating, she told colleagues she had “met someone” and believed she was “going to marry him.”

They Married In September 2021

Johnny proposed to Meredith on Aug. 29, 2020, near their families’ homes in Avalon. The couple officially married on Sept. 4, 2021.

In September 2024, Meredith shared wedding photos to mark what would have been their third anniversary, writing, “3 years ago today I became yours forever.”

“One of the best days of my life, including the night we got engaged and the days we brought our babies into the world,” she continued. “The day I met you I remember saying to myself, omg I’m going to marry him. And every day after that kept getting better and better. I love you forever John and I am so proud to be your wife.”

They Shared Three Children

Meredith and Johnny became parents on Sept. 30, 2022, with the birth of their daughter Noa Harper. Their son Johnny Edward was born on Feb. 22, 2024, making Noa a big sister.

At the time of Johnny’s passing, Meredith was pregnant with their third child. She later welcomed son Carter Michael on April 1, 2025. As she noted on Instagram, Carter’s middle name honors his late father, who also carried the name Michael.

Meredith Continues To Honor Johnny

Since August 2024, Meredith has paid tribute to her late husband through social media posts and deeply personal gestures, including tattoos incorporating his cremated ashes.

That October, she held Noa on the ice as the Columbus Blue Jackets raised a banner in Johnny’s honor. In July 2025, she also announced the Blue Jackets’ first NHL draft selection.

In March 2025, Meredith and her sister-in-law Madeline, who married Matthew in July 2021, launched a foundation to honor their late husbands.

The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation supports initiatives that reflect the values and passions both brothers championed throughout their lives.

They Cheered On Team USA At The 2026 Olympics

Meredith, Noa and Johnny’s parents attended the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics to support the U.S. men’s hockey team during its semifinal matchup against Slovakia on Feb. 20.

Johnny had been projected to be part of the Olympic roster before his death, and the team honored him by placing his No. 13 jersey in a locker stall — a tribute also seen during the 2025 4 Nations tournament.

After Team USA defeated Canada to capture gold on Feb. 22, players gathered with Johnny’s children on the ice, holding up his No. 13 jersey in a moment that blended celebration with remembrance.