Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, shares heartfelt tribute after NHL star is killed by drunk driver: ‘You were perfect’

Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, is speaking out for the first time since the NHL star and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were tragically killed by a drunk driver a day before their sister’s wedding.

“Thank you for the best years of my life,” she began via Instagram Saturday alongside a slideshow of photos that showed the sweet memories they shared throughout their relationship.

Meredith continued in the heartfelt message to Johnny, writing, “Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much. You were perfect.”

Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, posted a heartfelt tribute after he was killed. Instagram/@meredithgaudreau “Thank you for the best years of my life,” she wrote via Instagram. Instagram/@meredithgaudreau

“Some days it felt too good to be true,” she then admitted. “I love every single thing about you.”

Meredith — who had been married to Johnny since 2021 — concluded in the post that he is her “forever” and she “can’t wait to be with [him] again,” signing off, “I love you so much forever and ever.”

In a separate post, the widow — who shared two young children under the age of 2, Noa and Jonny, with the pro athlete — commemorated how he was the “absolute best dad in the world” to them.

“So caring and loving,” she added alongside pictures of the former Columbus Blue Jackets player taking care and playing with his kids. “The best partner to go through parenthood with.”

Meredith also pointed out that Johnny was the “absolute best dad” to their kids. Instagram/@meredithgaudreau “The best partner to go through parenthood with.” Instagram/@meredithgaudreau

Meredith shared that her spouse always showed up for their family, including never missing an appointment and helping with “putting the baby to sleep.”

She said the dad of two was the “Apple of Noa’s eye” and noted that the little girl “looks like him.”

Meredith concluded, “We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much daddy.”

Meredith and Johnny had been married since 2021. Instagram/@meredithgaudreau They shared two children together under the age of 2. Instagram/@meredithgaudreau

The heartbreaking posts come almost two days after Sean M. Higgins struck Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, Thursday evening as they were riding their bikes in Salem County, NJ, in an attempt to pass two slow-moving vehicles, according to police.

The driver allegedly had a “strong odor” of alcohol on his breath, and per NBC News, he later admitted to consuming five or six beers before the crash.

Higgins, 43, remains in police custody and had been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.

Driver Sean M. Higgins has been charged with killing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau. New Jersey State Police Higgins ran over Johnny and Matthew as they were riding bikes a day before their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding. Instagram / @kgaudreau13

Meanwhile, the Gaudreau has begun to mourn the big losses of their loved ones, which came at what should have been one of the happiest times in their sister Katie Gaudreau’s life.

The young woman was set to marry her fiancé, Devin Joyce, at the Parish of St. Mary in Gloucester City, NJ, on Friday but the wedding was called off given the tragedy.

“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers in law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing human beings,” the family said in a statement via Johnny’s uncle, Jim Gaudreau, on Friday.

“We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.”

The Gaudreau family also mourned Johnny and his brother, calling them “two amazing human beings.” Instagram/@meredithgaudreau Johnny was an NHL star that played for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Getty Images

Shortly after the deaths made the news, it was revealed that Matthew and his wife, Madeline Gaudreau, were about to become first-time parents as they have a baby on the way.

A GoFundMe was set up to help the widow with her “growing baby Tripp” and to “alleviate some of the financial burdens they now face,” per the website.

Madeline, whose Instagram is private, has not yet released her own public statement on Matthew’s death.