Late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith receives a standing ovation at 2025 NHL Draft 

Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith, received a standing ovation at this year’s NHL Draft on Friday, June 27.

According to Us Weekly, the late hockey player’s wife took to the stage at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles to announce the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first-round pick. She was met with a thunderous round of applause and a standing ovation in what was an emotional moment. The crowd also chanted Gaudreau’s name: “Johnny! Johnny!”

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother, Matthew, 29, were slain by an alleged drunk driver on August 29. They were riding their bicycles around Salem County, New Jersey, at the time. According to the NHL, the two have been honored by the League this entire season.

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Johnny Gaudreau's life and legacy explored as wife Meredith says her greatest honor is "representing" him: Read more

Johnny Gaudreau’s wife addressed the stadium of hockey fans by thanking them:

"I just wanted to take this time to thank every single team and every single fan base for your support for my family this past season," she said. "It's truly an honor to be here, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you." She added, “My greatest honor is representing (Johnny).”

She then took a moment for herself before announcing defenseman Jackson Smith, who is from Tri-City of the Western Hockey League. He is now the Blue Jackets’ pick at No. 14.

The driver who allegedly struck down the brothers in their hometown, Sean Higgins, has since been hit with six charges. These includes aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular homicide, according to Us Weekly. However, he has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau’s demise came just one day before their sister, Katie, was expected to tie the knot in Philadelphia. They were supposed to be the groomsmen for the ceremony, which was consequently postponed to July 2025.

The seven-time NHL All-Star’s eulogy was held in September 2024, where Meredith announced that she was pregnant with their third child. They were already parents to daughter Noa, 2, and son John, 1. She has since given birth to their son, Carter Michael Gaudreau, on April 1.

“I had our third baby! 4/1/25,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “Another baby boy. Carter Michael Gaudreau — same middle name as his daddy. 8lb 3 ounces, 20.5 inches — exact same as his daddy." She also said that Carter “looks exactly like his daddy too.”

Earlier this month, she got candid about grieving her husband, as well as the moment she learned of his demise via The Players’ Tribune:

“I was in shock. I was keeled over for days sick to my stomach,” she penned in a June 12 letter. “It’s completely indescribable. The only person who can relate to me is my own sister-in-law. I see her and my heart breaks for her.”

According to the NHL, Jackson Smith, who grew up as a fan of Johnny Gaudreau, remembered him on stage on Friday:

"Hearing the crowd and the reaction to it, the whole NHL is behind (Meredith) and their family. Being able to get drafted to them it's definitely surreal," he said. "Growing up and going to Flames games, watching him play and thinking how incredible he was as a player, it's crazy to me. I'm just super grateful for this."

Johnny Gaudreau had played for nine consecutive seasons in Calgary before he signed with the Blue Jackets ahead of the 2022-23 season.

“It was incredible, I'm sure you guys were watching it," Smith said. "Just to see the support in the stands and the crowd for the Gaudreau family, it was an incredible moment. So, to be picked right after that felt even extra special for me, and getting to meet her and talk to her, it was really cool.”

Shortly after his demise, the Columbus Blue Jackets issued a statement in Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau’s honor:

“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” they penned on X at the time. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden death of Johnny and Matthew.”

Meredith also announced the Blue Jackets’ pick at No. 20, goalie Pyotr Andreyanov from CSKA Jr. (Russia). Ahead of the selection, she told the crowd:

"Thank you everyone and again I just want to give a quick shoutout to (Blue Jackets superfan group) the 5th Line back in Columbus. I hope you guys are having a fun night. And I want to give a special shoutout to our babies Noa, baby Johnny and baby Carter. We love you!"

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