Johnny Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, reveals she's pregnant during emotional eulogy for fallen NHL star

Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, revealed that she is nine weeks pregnant with the couple's third child as the story of last month's terrible tragedy took another heartbreaking turn on Monday.

In an emotional eulogy during the funeral for Johnny and his brother, Matthew — who were both killed at the hands of an alleged drunk driver on Aug. 29 — Meredith described the week that she found out about their third child as the "favourite week of her life," one that she will "cherish forever."

"We're actually a family of five," she said during Monday's funeral.

"I'm in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby. A total surprise, but, again, Johnny's beaming and so excited. I was so nervous because, again, this was a total surprise, but his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me even though I was driving the car.

"After the initial excitement sank in, every time he would look at me he would just say, 'You're nuts, you know that?'" Meredith said during the powerful, tear-filled eulogy.

"Noa, our oldest, is not even two yet. In less than three years of marriage, we have created a family of five. It doesn't even sound possible, but I look at it as the ultimate blessing. How lucky am I to be the mother of John's three babies, our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances."

Both of the Gaudreau's children — Noa, who's almost two years old and Johnny, who's seven months — were born in Columbus, where Johnny signed as a free agent during the 2022 offseason after nine seasons with the Calgary Flames.

During her eulogy, Meredith described the city as "a hidden gem" and the "most underrated city."

"The way I described Columbus is similar to the way I describe John," she said. "You have to come and find out for yourself, and then once you know it, you love it."

"I can't describe how shattered I am that I don't get more time in your amazing city with John," said Gaudreau.

Meredith also delivered a beautiful speech detailing the bonds formed between her late husband and two of his former teammates and closest friends, Sean Monahan — who broke into he league with Johnny and spent nine years with him in Calgary before signing in Columbus this past offseason — and Kevin Hayes, a St. Louis Blues forward who played with Gaudreau at Boston College in the NCAA before they both joined the NHL.

“You’ve both known John longer than I have, which means you helped shape him into the man I fell in love with,” Meredith said. “He looked up to you both on and off the ice. You are his brothers, which means you’re my brothers, too. Thank you for being there with me when you’re experiencing such a great loss, as well.”

Meredith detailed just how close the late Gaudreau brothers were, too.

“Everything was always John and Matty,” said Meredith, who recently paid tribute to her and Johnny's third wedding anniversary last Wednesday. “I know John would not have been able to live a day without his brother.”

Meredith announcing her pregnancy with the late NHL star's child is the latest development surrounding the horrific events that left two brothers dead and multiple families shattered.

Matthew, the brother of Johnny Gaudreau, was also killed on that fateful Thursday night. It was revealed shortly after the tragic events that Matthew's wife, Madeline, was pregnant with the couple's first child, a son they had already named Tripp.

During her eulogy for Matthew, Madeline also touched on the Gaudreau brothers' unbreakable bond.

“John took care of Matty, and Matty would take care of John,” Madeline said. “Meredith said it best: You do not hear one name without the other. They were so extremely proud of each other.”

Madeline then pleaded for people not to drive intoxicated after the preventable tragedy that took the lives of her husband and brother in law.

“I urge everyone to not drink and drive,” Madeline said, according to the Associated Press. “Find a ride. Please don’t put another family through this torture.”

A GoFundMe set up to support Madeline Gaudreau in the days following the horrific tragedy has surpassed $645,000, as nearly 9,000 people, including many NHL players and their families, have donated so far.

The alleged drunk driver who took the lives of Johnny and Matthew, Sean M. Higgins, was attempting to pass another car when he fatally hit and killed the Gaudreau brothers, who were riding bicycles along the street. Higgins was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto.

Johnny and Matthew were in town to serve as groomsmen for their sister Katie’s wedding, which was set to take place the day after the brothers were tragically killed.