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Meredith Gaudreau walks toward the stadium prior to the 2025 NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings on March 01, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Johnny Gaudreau, the celebrated NHL forward known affectionately as “Johnny Hockey,” was also a devoted family man. He married the love of his life and began a family before his tragic passing alongside his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, on August 29, 2024 in Oldsman Township, New Jersey when the two were struck by a vehicle while they were cycling on the eve before their sister’s wedding. Johnny was 31 and Matthew was 29.
Now Johnny Gaudreau’s legacy lives on through his wife and family, who were honored after the U.S. men’s ice hockey team victoriously defeated Canada for the Olympic gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina on February 22, the anniversary of both Team USA’s gold medal win at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid and the 1980 Miracle on Ice gold medal win for the United States of America.
Here’s what to know about Johnny Gaudrea’s wife, children, and family.
He Married Meredith Gaudreau in 2021
GettyMeredith Gaudreau walks toward the stadium prior to the 2025 NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings on March 01, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Away from the ice, Johnny’s greatest pride was his young family with his wife, Meredith Gaudreau. The pair married in 2021 and established a family rooted in love, respect, and admiration for one another. A Pennsylvania native, Meredith Gaudreau has her master’s degree in pediatric nursing and is a dedicated advocate for children. Her love for young kids combined with Johnny’s commitment to family values created the perfect pairing for the two to welcome the start of their lives as parents not too long after their 2021 nuptials.
Meredith Gaudreau Has Continued to Honor Johnny’s Legacy
Meredith Gaudreau continues to honor her late husband’s life and legacy through her social media accounts. She posted on her Instagram account ahead of the USA-Canada gold medal game that the match was going to be played on February 22, which happens to be Johnny’s birthday.
Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau Have Three Children
GettyMeredith Gaudreau walks toward the stadium prior to the 2025 NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings on March 01, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
After getting married in 2021, Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau quickly took to starting the family they wanted to have together. They welcomed their first child, daughter Noa Harper Gaudreau, in September 2022 and their second child, son Johnny Gaudreau Jr. in February 2024.
At the time of their father’s tragic passing, Johnny Jr. was only six months old and Noa was about to celebrate her second birthday. Then came the surprise of their third child, son Carter Michael Gaudreau, who was born after Johnny passed away on April 1, 2025.
Meredith Wife Gave Birth Seven Months After Johnny’s Death
GettyAt a memorial service for the life and legacy of Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith Gaudreau announced she was pregnant with the couple’s third child.
At a memorial service to commemorate Johnny Gaudreau’s life and legacy on September 9, 2024, Meredith Gaudreau shocked everyone by announcing that she was pregnant with the couple’s third child. The moment was a twist of fate for Johnny’s legacy as a husband, father, and family man.
Meredith Gaudreau and Johnny’s Children Were At the USA-Canada Olympic Game in Italy
Getty(L-R) Auston Matthews #34, Zach Werenski #8 and Matthew Tkachuk #19 of Team United States celebrate winning the gold medals with the sweater of the late Johnny Gaudreau after the team’s 2-1 overtime victory in during the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
After the USA men’s ice hockey team shocked the world to win Olympic gold over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, the United States honored Johnny Gaudreau by holding up a USA jersey embroidered with his name and iconic number 13 on the back. Then the U.S. men’s hockey players went to the stands to bring Johnny’s children out onto the Olympic ice, where they were the first of any family members to take pictures with the newly minted Olympic champions. It was a moment that was emotional and poignant as Meredith Gaudreau was seen crying when the young toddlers were returned to her on the side of the arena.
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