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‘The best years of my life’
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‘The best years of my life’

The widow of Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau shared a moving tribute to the late hockey player on her social media Saturday morning.

“Thank you for the best years of my life,” Meredith Gaudreau wrote on Instagram alongside a carousel of photos of her and Gaudreau through the years.

“Even though I lost you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have had you. I love you so much,” the grieving woman added.

Johnny Gaudreau recently celebrated his 31st birthday. Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram

“You were perfect. Sometimes it felt too good to be true. I love everything about you. You are mine forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much, forever and ever.”

Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were cycling along County Route 51 in Oldmans Township, N.J., on Thursday evening when they were struck from behind by a suspected drunk driver.

According to the complaint, the brothers were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Gaudreaus were murdered less than 24 hours before they were to serve as witnesses at the Friday afternoon wedding of their younger sister, Katie, to hockey player Devin Joyce.

The ceremony in Gloucester City was cancelled due to the tragedy.

Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau got married in 2021. Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram

Besides his wife Meredith, Johnny Gaudreau is survived by his daughter Noa, almost 2 years old, and son Johnny, 6 months old.

Meredith Gaudreau also shared a tribute post featuring photos of the seven-time NHL All-Star and his young children.

“The absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving. The best partner to parent with,” she wrote.

Gaudreau’s daughter, Noa, was a regular at his hockey games. Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram

“John never missed an appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so much, Daddy.”

Matthew Gaudreau is survived by his wife Madeline, who is expecting the couple’s first child.

A GoFundMe for Madeline Gaudreau and “Baby Tripp” quickly exceeded its $30,000 goal, raising more than $260,000 as of Saturday morning.

A growing memorial for Johnny Gaudreau has appeared outside the Blue Jackets stadium in Columbus. AP

The Gaudreau family – including brothers, parents and two sisters – released a joint statement Friday thanking the public for the outpouring of support.

“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends, but truly two great people,” family spokesman Jim Gaudreau said in a statement to WBZ-TV.

“We want everyone to know that we receive your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult time of grief.”

Gaudreau and his wife also welcomed a son, Johnny, earlier this year. Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram

The talented brothers were top hockey players from southern New Jersey and both played for Boston College.

Johnny Gaudreau was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2014. He signed with the Blue Jackets in 2022.

Matthew briefly signed with the minor league affiliate of the New York Islanders. He last played professionally in 2021.