Johnny Gaudreau’s Wife Meredith Reveals She Got Tattoo of His Signature as Flames Hold Memorial for Late Star

Mar. 15, 2025

Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau.Photo:Johnny Gaudreau/Instagram

Johnny Gaudreau/Instagram

The family of the lateJohnny Gaudreautraveled to Calgary this week to take part in a tribute to the late NHL star, as his two former teams, the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets, faced off.And to mark the emotional trip,Gaudreau’s widow Meredith Gaudreauannounced she got a new tattoo: her husband’s signature on her right wrist.“I thought it would be cool to say that I did that in Calgary because that is where his autograph really took off,” Meredith explained during an interview after the Tuesday, Dec. 3 game withSportsnet. “It’s like, this is where it all began.“She smiled while explaining that she’s never had a tattoo before getting her late husband’s name and his No. 13 inked on her wrist. “I was a little nervous,” she said, “but I really love it.”Meredith, who shares two young children with her late husband andis expecting a third, took part in a pregame tribute Tuesday night before his two former teams played each other.“Everyone has been so warm,” Meredith said about returning to Calgary, where her husband played the first nine seasons of his 11-year NHL career. “It feels almost like you’ve never left when you are here for a couple days, so many familiar faces. And, you know, spent so much time here, so a lot of good memories.“Meredith and Johnny Gaudreau.Meredith Gaudreau/InstagramTuesday night’s memorial ceremony was the latest in a series of tributes to Johnny, a seven-time NHL All Star, and his younger brotherMatthew Gaudreau, who was also a former college and semi-professional hockey player.Gaudreau and Matthew were killed in late August after an alleged drunk driver crashed into them while they were riding bicycles together the night before their sister Katie’s wedding.Johnny was 31, and Matthew was 29.The driver, Sean M. Higgins, reportedly attempted to pass another car and fatally hit both brothers, New Jersey State Police told PEOPLE at the time. Higgins, 43, remains in custody as prosecutors are set to announce formal charges against him later this month, according toCBS News.Johnny Gaudreau.Jaylynn Nash/GettyMeredith and her late husband shared daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny, who turns 1 in February, while she also announced at his funeral that she recently learned she is expecting their third child. Matthew and his widow Madeline were also expecting their first child together at the time of his death.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Johnny Gaudreau.Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto via GettyWhile speaking about Johnny after the game Tuesday, the Sportsnet broadcast also showed video of Meredith and her and Johnny’s two young children sitting on a memorial bench made in honor of the Gaudreau brothers, that now sits at the Calgary Flames practice rink.“It’s really special,” Meredith said about the memorial bench, which was made out of sticks left outside Calgary’s home arena in the days following his death.“[Everyone in Calgary has] been amazing,” Meredith said, wiping away tears. “I read everyone’s messages. I feel like it’s home away from home still, so it’s just really nice. Being able to be here, and having fans see the kids, and there’s a ton of people I’m going to see tonight. I am really happy to be here.”

The family of the lateJohnny Gaudreautraveled to Calgary this week to take part in a tribute to the late NHL star, as his two former teams, the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets, faced off.

And to mark the emotional trip,Gaudreau’s widow Meredith Gaudreauannounced she got a new tattoo: her husband’s signature on her right wrist.

“I thought it would be cool to say that I did that in Calgary because that is where his autograph really took off,” Meredith explained during an interview after the Tuesday, Dec. 3 game withSportsnet. “It’s like, this is where it all began.”

She smiled while explaining that she’s never had a tattoo before getting her late husband’s name and his No. 13 inked on her wrist. “I was a little nervous,” she said, “but I really love it.”

Meredith, who shares two young children with her late husband andis expecting a third, took part in a pregame tribute Tuesday night before his two former teams played each other.

“Everyone has been so warm,” Meredith said about returning to Calgary, where her husband played the first nine seasons of his 11-year NHL career. “It feels almost like you’ve never left when you are here for a couple days, so many familiar faces. And, you know, spent so much time here, so a lot of good memories.”

Meredith and Johnny Gaudreau.Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram

Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram

Tuesday night’s memorial ceremony was the latest in a series of tributes to Johnny, a seven-time NHL All Star, and his younger brotherMatthew Gaudreau, who was also a former college and semi-professional hockey player.

Gaudreau and Matthew were killed in late August after an alleged drunk driver crashed into them while they were riding bicycles together the night before their sister Katie’s wedding.

Johnny was 31, and Matthew was 29.

The driver, Sean M. Higgins, reportedly attempted to pass another car and fatally hit both brothers, New Jersey State Police told PEOPLE at the time. Higgins, 43, remains in custody as prosecutors are set to announce formal charges against him later this month, according toCBS News.

Johnny Gaudreau.Jaylynn Nash/Getty

Jaylynn Nash/Getty

Meredith and her late husband shared daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny, who turns 1 in February, while she also announced at his funeral that she recently learned she is expecting their third child. Matthew and his widow Madeline were also expecting their first child together at the time of his death.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Johnny Gaudreau.Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto via Getty

Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto via Getty

While speaking about Johnny after the game Tuesday, the Sportsnet broadcast also showed video of Meredith and her and Johnny’s two young children sitting on a memorial bench made in honor of the Gaudreau brothers, that now sits at the Calgary Flames practice rink.

“It’s really special,” Meredith said about the memorial bench, which was made out of sticks left outside Calgary’s home arena in the days following his death.“[Everyone in Calgary has] been amazing,” Meredith said, wiping away tears. “I read everyone’s messages. I feel like it’s home away from home still, so it’s just really nice. Being able to be here, and having fans see the kids, and there’s a ton of people I’m going to see tonight. I am really happy to be here.”

source: people.com