Meredith Gaudreau announces pregnancy in emotional eulogy for Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau

In an emotional and tearful eulogy for her husband, Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith Gaudreau announced Monday that she is nine weeks pregnant with the couple's third child.

Gaudreau said the week she found out about her third child was the “best week” of her life.

“We're actually a family of five,” she said during the funeral Monday in Media, Pennsylvania. “I'm nine weeks pregnant with our third baby. A total surprise, but Johnny is beaming and so excited. I was so nervous because, like I said, this was a total surprise, but his reaction was to immediately kiss and hug me, even though I was driving the car.”

“After the initial excitement wore off, every time he looked at me he just said, 'You're crazy, you know that?'” Meredith said Monday. “Noa, our oldest, is not even two years old yet. In less than three years of marriage we have created a family of five. It sounds impossible, but I consider it the ultimate blessing. How lucky I am to be the mother of John's three babies, our last one is a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances.”

Both of Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau's children, Noa and Johnny, were born in Columbus.

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Mathew were killed Aug. 29 when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, near their hometown in Salem County, New Jersey State Police said.

Meredith Gaudreau remembers Johnny Gaudreau with the Columbus Blue Jackets

In her memories of Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith Gaudreau said that Columbus “quickly became our home and our family.”

“The memories we made as a growing family in Columbus are the best years of my life,” she said.

Meredith Gaudreau said there were many signs that Johnny's signing with the Blue Jackets was the right decision. “You know it's a special place when the hockey season is over, but you're not ready to pack up and go home,” she said.

Meredith Gaudreau called Columbus “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 when you know, you'll love it.”

After nine seasons with the Calgary Flames, Johnny Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Blue Jackets as an unrestricted free agent.

“I can’t describe how devastated I am that I won’t be able to spend more time with John in your wonderful city,” she said.

In two seasons with the Blue Jackets, Gaudreau scored 33 goals and 101 assists in 161 games.

“John was so proud to wear your colors every day,” said Meredith Gaudreau.

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This article originally appeared in the Columbus Dispatch: Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith is pregnant with their third child