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Johnny Gaudreau's wife announces she is pregnant and expecting her third child

Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, who was killed last month along with his brother Matthew Gaudreau by a suspected drunk driver, announced in a eulogy for her late husband that she is expecting a third child.

On September 9, Meredith Gaudreau delivered a heartbreaking speech during the joint funeral of the Columbus Blue Jackets player and his brother. In tears, Meredith Gaudreau recalled their love story and talked about their first child together, a little girl named Noa. Just 17 months after Noa's birth, Meredith Gaudreau gave birth to her son, John.

Meredith and Johnny Gaudreau.@meredithgaudreau_ via Instagram

Speaking directly to her late husband, she said, “John, I had the best six months as a family of four. They will forever be the best six months of my life. There is one week in particular that I will remember forever and that will be my favorite week of my life.”

Meredith Gaudreau then announced that she is currently pregnant with her third child.

“I'm nine weeks pregnant with our third baby,” she said. “A total surprise, but John was beaming again and so excited. I was so nervous, a total surprise again. But his reaction was to immediately kiss and hug me, even though I was driving the car.”

Meredith Gaudreau fondly recalled how her husband would often tell her after the news, “You're crazy, you know that? Three kids.”

She added that her eldest child, Noa, has not yet celebrated his second birthday.

“In less than three years of marriage, we have created a family of five,” she continued. “It sounds impossible, but I consider it the greatest blessing. How lucky am I to be the mother of John's three babies? To have my last one be a blessing is so special, despite these difficult circumstances.”

She told her children that their father loves them and gushed that he is the best father in the world. She said she wants to encourage her son to follow in his father's footsteps and teach him how to skate as soon as possible.

Her pregnancy news came after her sister-in-law Madeline Gaudreau delivered her eulogy for her husband Matthew and also mentioned that she was pregnant. Madeline Gaudreau is currently expecting her first child, a son.

She had previously announced on Instagram that her due date was in December.

“Everyone who knows Matty knows he was born to be a father,” she said at the funeral. “From the moment we found out about our son, Tripp, his daily life was all about it. He was downloading apps, ordering books, researching the best brand of diapers, making sure I got the best vitamins and asking John for tips.”

She said Matthew Gaudreau has accompanied her to all her doctor's appointments and has already begun setting up a nursery for her little boy.

“Matthew worked so hard on this room and I can feel him there every time I walk in. Matthew was so excited to welcome Tripp into this world and although the plan looks a little different now, I know Matt will be around his son for the rest of his life,” said Madeline Gaudreau. “I am so thankful that God gave us a child, a little Matty, who will run around for life and carry on his legacy. Tripp will know how much his father loved him and I promise to do all the things with him that we talked about.”

She said she looks forward to Tripp growing up with his cousin John and developing the same unbreakable bond the two hockey brothers had.

On August 29, New Jersey State Police confirmed that 31-year-old Johnny Gaudreau and his 29-year-old brother Matthew were pronounced dead at the scene after they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles in their New Jersey hometown, NBC Philadelphia reported.

According to NJ Advance Media, the brothers were scheduled to attend their sister's wedding the next day.

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau played together at Boston College before turning professional. Former coach Jerry York said the two were “inseparable.”

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