OLDMANS TWP., New Jersey — The widow of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau paid tribute to him in two social media posts Saturday, calling him her “forever” and praising him as the “best father” to their young children.

Meredith Gaudreau also shared family photos of her late husband who celebrated his 31st birthday with her, daughter Noa and son Johnny earlier in August.

“Thank you for the best years of my life. Even though I lost you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have had you,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “I love you so much. You were perfect. Some days 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, always and forever.”

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed Thursday night in Salem County, New Jersey when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while riding bicycles near their family home. The Gaudreau family had gathered in Salem County to attend the wedding of the men’s sister, Katie, which was scheduled for Friday. The event was canceled.

Meredith and Johnny were married on September 4, 2021. Noa was born the following September and Johnny on February 22.

READ MORE: NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau and Brother Killed by Suspected Drunk Driver in New Jersey

“The best dad in the world. So caring and loving,” she wrote alongside photos of Gaudreau and the kids. “The best partner to parent with. 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, 29, was a high school men’s hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic in New Jersey and also an expectant father. His wife, Madeline, is expecting their first child in December. A GoFundMe page set up to support her and the baby, who will be named Tripp, had raised nearly $300,000 as of Saturday morning.

Social media messages poured in honoring the Gaudreaus from across the sports world, including from hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and Jalen Hurts, quarterback of the Gaudreaus’ favorite NFL team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

According to police, the brothers were riding their bicycles on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township around 8:30 p.m. Thursday when they were struck by a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey. The crash occurred when the driver attempted to pass a slower vehicle on the right and struck the Gaudreaus from behind.

According to a police affidavit, Higgins allegedly told a state trooper who arrived at the scene that he had consumed “five to six beers” before the crash. According to the report, Higgins failed a field sobriety test.

Higgins was taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility and charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter. During a video court appearance Friday afternoon, he was ordered held without bail pending a detention hearing on Thursday.