'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Kaitlyn Gaudreau, sister of the late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, posted a touching tribute to her two-year-old niece, Noa, on Wednesday. In her heartfelt message, Kaitlyn expressed how much Noa means to the family in the wake of Johnny’s death. Jhonny and his brother, Matthew, were killed by a suspected drunk diver while cycling in New Jersey.
She wrote that Noa "saved" the family, providing it with a sense of hope and purpose after losing Johnny. Kaitlyn shared her gratitude for being Noa’s aunt and emphasized the importance of keeping Johnny's memory alive for his young daughter.
"I hope one day she knows she was the one that saved us. The one we look at and see John… the reason we keep going every day. Thankful to be your aunt but even more thankful I get to tell you all about your daddy and uncle and how amazing they are," Kaitlyn wrote.
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny's widow, later reposted Kaitlyn’s message to her own Instagram story. She added a note at the top, writing:
"She loves you as much as her daddy does. That’s a lotttt Kaitlyn," Meredith wrote.
Meredith and Johnny Gaudreau had two children together, a two-year-old daughter, Noa, and a seven-month-old son, Johnny.
Sean Monahan dedicates his first goal in a Blue Jackets shirt to Johnny Gaudreau
Johnny Gaudreau's longtime friend, Sean Monahan, paid tribute to Johnny during the Columbus Blue Jackets' home opener against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Monahan dedicated his first goal for the team to Johnny, pointing to the rafters where Johnny’s banner was raised.
On Wednesday, Johnny’s widow, Meredith Gaudreau, shared her appreciation for Monahan and the constant support he has shown to his late friend’s family. She wrote on her Instagram story:
“John is so freaking proud of Sean. For being there for me and our kids and being a part of this team. Showing up everyday with a smile, working hospitality but off.”
She also mentioned Monahan’s wife, Brittany, in a separate message. She expressed how she had always imagined being with Brittany to celebrate Sean’s first goal in a Blue Jackets jersey.
“I always thought about Sean's first goal as a blue jacket and how we'd be right next to each other for it 😥 @brittonmonahan,” she wrote.
The Blue Jackets honored Johnny Gaudreau by raising his jersey number 13 to the rafters before their home opener. They left his left-wing spot empty, observed 13 seconds of silence and played a video tribute to his career.
Players wore his No. 13 jerseys during warmups and Johnny and Matthew’s numbers 13 and 21 were displayed on the ice. Meredith and her children joined the team on the ice as the crowd chanted "Johnny Hockey" in memory of their beloved player.
