Overview

• At the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles, fans and teams gave Meredith Gaudreau a standing ovation and chanted her late husband’s name when she announced the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first-round pick.
• Meredith said her “greatest honor is representing Johnny” as she publicly thanked the hockey world for its support over the past season.
• Fans’ warm response reflects continued remembrance of Johnny and his brother Matthew, who died in August 2024 after being struck by an alleged drunk driver in New Jersey.
• In April she welcomed her third child, Carter Michael Gaudreau, following her pregnancy reveal at Johnny’s September eulogy.
• Sean Higgins, accused of causing the crash that killed the Gaudreau brothers, faces aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular homicide charges and has pleaded not guilty.