NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, died on August 29, 2024, when a drunk driver crashed into them while they were on bicycles. The hockey-loving siblings left behind loving wives who both were pregnant. Four months later, Matthew’s widow, Madeline Gaudreau, welcomed a baby boy.
The fatal crash happened in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, the evening before Johnny and Matthew’s sister Katie’s wedding was scheduled. On September 9, the Columbus Blue Jackets player, 31, and his younger brother, 29, were laid to rest during a joint funeral. Both Madeline and Johnny’s widow, Meredith, delivered emotional speeches during the service. And now, Madeline is officially a mom.
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Madeline Gaudreau announced the arrival of her baby boy on social media.
On December 29, Madeline took to Instagram to announce the birth of her and Matthew’s baby boy. “Tripp Matthew 🤍🦋,” she captioned her update. “Mommy & Daddy’s world.” Alongside the message was a closeup photo of Madeline holding her baby’s hand next to a sign reading, “He’s Here.”
In the comments, several members of the Gaudreau family reacted to the news.
Matthew and Johnny’s parents, Guy and Jane Gaudreau, shared an emotional message. “Mom-Mom & Pop-Pop’s hearts are overflowing with love for you, Tripp Matthew,” they wrote in the comments. “We are so incredibly proud of you and your mommy and I know your Daddy is too!💙.”
Meanwhile, the siblings’ sister Katie exclaimed, “Yay!!!!!!!!!!!! Aunt Katie loves you, mommy, and daddy SOOOO much.”
Johnny’s widow, Meredith, shared, “🩵 ☁️ ✨♑️ I love you Baby Tripp!”
Many others congratulated the new mom while acknowledging the bittersweetness of her baby's arrival.
Meanwhile, friends, fans, and followers also shared their reactions to baby Tripp’s birth.
One person wrote, “Beautiful name. I know it has to be so sad not to share this with him… makes me cry. He’d be so proud of you! Great job mommy ❤️🙌.”
Another shared, “Congratulations 🥹🩵 enjoy all the newborn snuggles. So happy he’s here safe. You now have a part of Matthew with you. Thinking of you both 🩵.”
Someone else commented, “💙 Daddy and Uncle John are watching over you Tripp 💙.”
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During her speech at the funeral, Madeline shared how excited Matthew was to become a father.
“Anyone that knows Matty knows that he was born to be a dad,” Madeline said, per Fox 29 News Philadelphia. “The moment we found out about our son Tripp, it consumed his every day. He was downloading apps, ordering books, finding the best diaper brand, making sure I had the best vitamins and asking for tips from John.”
She added, “I will never forget the tears he had in his eyes when we first heard Tripp’s heartbeat. He never missed an appointment.”
Meredith is still pregnant with her and Johnny's third child.
During the September 9 funeral, Meredith revealed she was pregnant with her and Johnny’s third child.
“John and I had the best six months as a family of four. These will forever be the best six months of my life,” she said. “There is specifically one week that I will cherish forever. It will be my favorite week of my life out of those six months. We are actually a family of 5.”
Meredith’s due date is likely sometime in mid-April 2025.
