Johnny Gaudreau's Wife Praises His Special Bond with Brother Matthew After Their Deaths: 'Always Side by Side'

Mar. 15, 2025

Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau, Matthew Gaudreau.Photo:Johnny gaudreau/instagram; Richard T Gagnon/Getty

Johnny gaudreau/instagram; Richard T Gagnon/Getty

The widow of hockey playerJohnny Gaudreauis remembering the special bond between her late husband and her brother-in-law Matthew Gaudreau.

On Saturday, Aug. 31, Meredith Gaudreau shared a tribute to Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, where she spoke of their close bond as brothers in a touching post on Instagram. The hockey playersdied in a biking accidenton Aug. 29.

Meredith said that NHL star Johnny “looked up to” his younger brother Matthew and “relied on him for everything,” describing the pair as “best friends.”

“And Matty was always there. Absolute best friends and biggest fans of each other despite polar opposite personalities,” she continued. “Everyone wanted to be around them, including me. I would sit back and watch John genuinely love his time with his brother.”

Brothers Johnny Gaudreau (R) and Matthew Gaudreau on February 10, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts.Richard T Gagnon/Getty

Richard T Gagnon/Getty

Meredith then thanked her late brother-in-law “for loving our babies like your own” and being “an amazing uncle and godfather,” referring to her and Johnny’s two children, daughter Noa, who turns 2 in October, and son Johnny, 7 months.

“I can’t wait to return the honor when I become Tripp’s aunt,” she said, speaking of Matthew’s widow,Madeline Gaudreau, who is pregnant with their first child. “I don’t think John could live a day without you so I’m comforted knowing you are of course together in heaven.”

“Please continue to take care of John like you always have. I got Madeline and Tripp 🤍 We love you very much,” Meredith concluded.

Madeline wrote in response in the comment section: “I love this🤍🤍 Matty adored John just the same,” adding, “I got you, Noa and Johnny 🤍🤍,” referring to Johnny and Meredith’s children.

Brothers Matthew (L) and Johnny Gaudreau.Matty Gaudreau/instagram

Matty Gaudreau/instagram

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On Aug. 29, Johnny and Matthew diedin a biking accidentin Oldmans Township, New Jersey, which is close to Salem County, their hometown, PEOPLE previously confirmed.

The two brothers were reportedly in their hometown to serve as groomsmen in their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding, which had been planned to take place the following day, according to a wedding website.

Johnny and Matthew pictured with their dad Guy, mom Jane and sister Katie.Johnny Gaudreau/Instagram

Johnny Gaudreau/Instagram

Johnny and Matthew were biking on Country Route 551 North just after 8 p.m. when driver Sean M. Higgins, who was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, attempted to pass another car and fatally hit the brothers, New Jersey State Police said in a statement to PEOPLE at the time.

The suspect had been traveling in a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind a sedan and SUV.

Meredith’s tribute to Johnny and Matthew comes after speaking out for the first time about her husband’s death in apostearlier on Aug. 31.

“Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much,” she wrote, in part, as she honored Johnny.

Her sister Lily Morris alsoposteda tribute to him on Instagram on the same day, writing, “I love you, John. You are and always will be my amazing brother. Cannot put into words how grateful I am to have spent the last year living with you. Best decision I’ve ever made.”

“Nothing I wouldn’t do to have one more day of baking you cookies, watching a crime documentary, and having a sauna jam sesh together. I’ll see you again for more deal or no deal and word search races that I will never beat you in. I promise to take care of your babies and Mer forever,” she concluded, signing off as “Aunt Luwally.”

Morris shared several photos of her with Johnny beside her message, including at their wedding, at a hockey game and of Lily sitting behind the wheel of a car with Johnny in the passenger seat.

Meredithresharedthe photo on her Instagram Stories as she wrote, “These two … such a special relationship. I was so jealous 😂.”

source: people.com