On what was meant to be a joyful milestone, Meredith Gaudreau found herself honoring the memory of her late husband, Johnny Gaudreau.

The NHL star tragically passed away alongside his younger brother Matthew just days before.

As the couple’s three-year wedding anniversary approached, Meredith took to Instagram to express her grief and love in a touching tribute.

A Love Story Cut Short

Meredith and Johnny’s love story began with a spark that quickly grew into a lifelong bond.

In her emotional post, Meredith reminisced about the day they met, recalling how she instantly knew she would marry him.

Reflecting on their wedding day, she described it as one of the best moments of her life, right alongside the days they got engaged and welcomed their children.

“I love you forever, John,” she wrote, adding that she felt proud and blessed to have been his wife.

Tragic Circumstances Surrounding the Accident

The tragedy unfolded just hours before Johnny’s sister, Katie, was set to marry her partner, Devin Joyce.

Johnny, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were struck by a vehicle while cycling in New Jersey, not far from their family home.

The driver, identified as 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, has since been charged with vehicular homicide.

According to reports, Higgins admitted to consuming multiple beers before getting behind the wheel, leading to the fatal crash.

Mourning the Loss and Honoring His Legacy

Meredith’s tribute continued as she expressed her gratitude for the time they shared, despite the heartbreak of losing him.

“You were perfect,” she wrote, describing their relationship as almost too good to be true.

She concluded her message with a promise of eternal love, saying she looked forward to being with him again one day.

Meanwhile, the hockey community has been deeply impacted by the loss of the Gaudreau brothers.

Tributes poured in over the weekend, with fans and fellow players alike expressing their sorrow.

A GoFundMe page set up for Matthew’s wife, Madeline, and their child, Tripp, surpassed its initial goal by a staggering amount, reflecting the outpouring of support.

A Powerful Show of Support from Fans

In addition to online tributes, thousands of fans gathered at Scotiabank Saddledome, home of the Calgary Flames, to pay their respects.

Messages of love and remembrance were written in chalk, covering the grounds outside the arena.

The Flames shared a breathtaking aerial view of the tribute, capturing the depth of the community’s grief.

Johnny Gaudreau’s legacy extends beyond his impressive NHL career, which spanned 11 seasons, including nine with the Calgary Flames and two with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

His brother Matthew also had a professional hockey career in the ECHL, making the tragedy even more poignant for those in the hockey world.

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