Meredith Gaudreau, wife of the late hockey player Johnny Gaudreau, recently celebrated their daughter’s second birthday just one month after her husband’s tragic death. Noa’s birthday was on September 30, and Meredith shared a handful of photos and videos to her Instagram Stories in celebration, which included birthday wishes from family and friends. Some of Johnny’s teammates even took time to wish the 2-year-old a happy birthday.
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Johnny's teammates showed up in celebration.
“Blue Jackets players showed up to celebrate Noa Gaudreau’s second birthday 🥹💙,” the hockey team posted on its Instagram page. The post included a photo of the entire team along with Noa and other family and friends standing in front of yard decorations that read, “Happy 2nd Birthday Noa!”
Fans commented on the sweet gesture.
“🥺 Just when I thought I ran out of things to make me cry today,” one person wrote. “How wonderful for the team to show up to celebrate her 2nd birthday,” another person commented. “Happy 2nd Birthday sweet Noa. Your daddy is looking down beaming with pride ♥️💝🥳💙.”
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Meredith paid tribute to Johnny on social media.
One was a repost showing her holding Noa as they watched Johnny play hockey on the television. “Daddy’s biggest fan,” it read.
She also posted a story of a video of one of Johnny’s proudest moments. “This highlight video made me tear up ever since that night in May 2022. And I’ve watched it countless times,” she wrote. “He would laugh at me as I watched it trying to hold back tears. I was so proud and I knew how happy John was. All I cared about.”
Katie Gaudreau also made a post.
Katie, the sister of Johnny and Matthew, shared a video in honor of Noa’s birthday that included many special moments between the toddler and her dad. “Happy 2nd Birthday to our Noa Harper. John’s twin and the girl that brings us more joy than we could ever imagine,” it read. “I can’t wait to follow you through life, share stories of your daddy with you, and make memories with you that daddy would have loved to make. Out of all his accomplishments you were his greatest no award or goal could ever compare to being your daddy. We love you Noa. 🤍.”
Johnny and his brother Matthew were killed in August 2024.
The siblings were killed by an alleged drunk driver in August while they were out riding bikes. Their deaths came a day before they were supposed to be the groomsmen in their sister’s wedding. Both their wives are also pregnant.
In a statement, their uncle said, “Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers in law, two uncles, two nephews, two cousins, two family members two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans.”
