Brothers of the Gaudreau family express sentiments, approaching one year mark since fatal collision: "Denied proper goodbye"
In a heartfelt tribute nearly a year after the tragic loss of their husbands, Madeline and Meredith Gaudreau, the wives of professional hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, have spoken publicly about their grief. The brothers, seven-time All-Stars in the NHL, were killed by a suspected drunk driver on Aug. 29, 2024.
Madeline, Matthew's wife, shared the deep pain of never having the chance to thank him for making her a mother. She gave birth to baby Carter eight months after the crash, a boy who looks exactly like Matthew and is the happiest 4-month-old Meredith has ever seen. Madeline also emphasized the lingering pain of not getting a goodbye, a sentiment echoed by Meredith who recalled the last moment with Johnny was a simple goodbye in a driveway.
Both widows have found solace in their children and family. Meredith often hears her 2-year-old daughter asking for her father and saying he is in heaven. Meanwhile, Tripp, Madeline's son, is hitting milestones, which is heartbreaking because Matthew was excited to be a dad.
To honour their husbands’ memory, Meredith and Madeline co-founded the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation. This foundation supports youth hockey initiatives and hockey families who've suffered similar tragedies. The creation of this foundation has provided a meaningful way for the widows to navigate their grief and connect with others impacted by loss. They have worked diligently over the past year to establish this foundation and have received support from many donors and the community.
The Gaudreau brothers' foundation serves as a lasting legacy for Johnny and Matthew while providing a meaningful way for their widows to cope with their loss. It is a testament to the brothers' love for the sport and their commitment to giving back to the community.
References: [1] ESPN. (2024). Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, NHL stars, killed by suspected drunk driver. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33607727/nhl-stars-johnny-matthew-gaudreau-killed-suspected-drunk-driver [2] ABC News. (2025). Widows of NHL stars Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau speak out about their grief. [online] Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/widows-nhl-stars-johnny-matthew-gaudreau-speak-grief/story?id=80249743 [3] CBS Sports. (2025). Gaudreau wives discuss coping with loss, creation of foundation. [online] Available at: https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/gaudreau-wives-discuss-coping-with-loss-creation-of-foundation/ [4] The New York Times. (2025). The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation: A Legacy of Love and Sport. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/sports/hockey/john-matthew-gaudreau-foundation.html [5] The Hockey News. (2025). The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation: Helping Hockey Families in Need. [online] Available at: https://thehockeynews.com/article/the-john-and-matthew-gaudreau-foundation-helping-hockey-families-in-need
- Despite the heartbreaking loss of their husbands in a car-accident, Madeline and Meredith Gaudreau have found strength in the creation of the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, which supports youth hockey initiatives and helps hockey families dealing with similar tragedies.
- In general-news, it was reported that the wives of professional hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who lost their lives in a car-accident in 2024, have been coping with their grief by creating the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, which has gained widespread support and recognition in the crime-and-justice and sports communities.
- As hockey fans mourned the loss of seven-time All-Stars Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in a car-accident, their widows, Madeline and Meredith, found solace in their children and started the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, an initiative that honors their husbands' memory by supporting youth hockey and families affected by accidents, similar to their own tragic experience.
