Meredith Gaudreau held her newborn son for the first time on April 1, just seven months after losing her husband, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, in a devastating cycling accident. The moment, both heart-wrenching and full of hope, marks a new chapter for a family still reeling from unimaginable loss.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Meredith introduced their third child, Carter Michael Gaudreau. The name honors his late father in both spirit and memory. “He looks exactly like his daddy,” she wrote, alongside photos of the baby resting peacefully and a touching image of him beside a framed photo of Meredith and Johnny.
Life After Loss
Carter entered the world weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches- the same as Johnny at birth, according to Meredith. She wrote, “I love you so much my baby! We are going to have so much fun. I can’t wait to give you the best life, my special boy forever.”
Johnny and his younger brother Matthew were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver on August 29 in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. The brothers had traveled there for their sister Katie’s wedding, which was scheduled for the following day. Johnny was 31. Matthew was 29.
At Johnny’s memorial service on September 9, Meredith revealed that she was nine weeks pregnant, calling the news a “total surprise.” She recalled Johnny’s immediate reaction: kissing her and hugging her while she was still driving. “Every time he looked at me, he would say, ‘You’re nuts, you know that? Three kids?’” she shared.
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The man accused of causing the crash, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, told police he had consumed “5-6 beers” before getting behind the wheel of his Jeep Grand Cherokee. Authorities charged him with two counts of vehicular homicide. He remains in custody and is due in court on April 15.
Johnny Gaudreau, a seven-time NHL All-Star, played 11 seasons in the league. He spent nine with the Calgary Flames and the last two with the Columbus Blue Jackets, tallying 743 points in 763 games.
Now, his legacy lives on through his children- Noa, Johnny, and newborn Carter- and the memories that continue to fill the spaces he once did.
Also Read: NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau Tragically Killed Along With His Brother In Fatal Collision
