Widow Of NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau Announces Pregnancy At Memorial

OLDMANS TOWNSHIP, NJ — The wife of hockey star Johnny Gaudreau, who died alongside his brother Matthew after a suspected drunk driver hit them, announced she was pregnant with their third child at their funeral Monday.

Hundreds of mourners attended the funerals for the Gaudreaus, both South Jersey natives, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pa. The brothers were riding bicycles in Oldmans Township on Aug. 29, the day before their sister's wedding, when a driver struck them from behind and caused fatal injuries.

Both brothers were also preparing to be new fathers — The first time for Matthew and his wife Madeline, and the third time for Johnny and his wife Meredith.

Meredith Gaudreau revealed she is expecting another child, which she said was both "a total surprise" and "a blessing," during the eulogy she gave Monday.

"We're actually a family of five," she said, per the Columbus Dispatch. "I'm in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby."

A GoFundMe to support Madeline Gaudreau has raised close to $650,000 as of 3 p.m. Monday.

“I urge everyone to not drink and drive,” she said at the service, as quoted by the Associated Press. “Find a ride. Please don’t put another family through this torture.”

The Gaudreaus grew up in Salem County and lived there at the time of their deaths. Johnny, 31, became a seven-time NHL all-star and most recently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Matthew, 29, played in the minor leagues before returning to South Jersey and coaching hockey at his alma mater, Gloucester Catholic High School.

The driver who hit them — identified as Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown — was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.

Related coverage —

• NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau, Brother Killed By Drunk Driver In NJ: Police
• NJ Man Accused Of Killing NHL Star, Brother In Drunken Crash Appears In Court