'You were perfect': Johnny Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, posts tribute

The widow of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau paid tribute to him in a pair of social media posts on Saturday, calling him her "forever" and praising him as the "best dad" to their young children.

Meredith Gaudreau also shared family photos of her late husband celebrating his 31st birthday earlier this month with her, daughter Noa and son Johnny.

"Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours," she wrote in an Instagram post. "I love you so so much. You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can't wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.

"The absolute best dad in the world," Gaudreau continued. "So caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with. John never missed a single 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 so so much daddy."

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed Thursday night in New Jersey when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while riding bicycles not far from their family home. The Gaudreau family had gathered in Salem County to attend the wedding of the men's sister, Katie, which had been scheduled for Friday.Johnny and Matthew were supposed to serve as groomsmen.The events were cancelled.

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

WATCH | NHL mourns star forward's death:

NHL reeling after forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother killed while cycling in New Jersey

3 days ago

Duration 3:27

NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, a 31-year-old forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his younger brother Matthew were killed Thursday night when they were hit by a car while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey.

Matthew Gaudreau's wife expecting 1st child

Matthew Gaudreau, 29, was the hockey coach at the men's high school alma mater, Gloucester Catholic in New Jersey, and he also was an expectant father. His wife, Madeline, is expecting their first child in December. A GoFundMe page set up to benefit her and the child, who will be named Tripp, had raised nearly $300,000 US as of Saturday morning.

"The boys grew up here," said Wayne Pelura, a Carneys Point Township committee member. "They were involved in youth sports here. Everybody knows them. Everybody knows the sisters. It's just a sad, sad situation."

According to police, the brothers were riding bikes along County Route 551 in Oldmans Township around 8:30 p.m. Thursday when they were hit by a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 43-year-old Sean Higgins of Woodstown, N.J. The accident occurred as the driver tried to pass a slower vehicle on the right and struck the Gaudreaus in the rear, 6ABC in Philadelphia reported.

The television station, citing a police affidavit, said Higgins reportedly told the state trooper who arrived at the accident scene that he drank "five to six beers" before the crash. Per the report, Higgins failed a field sobriety test.

Higgins was taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility and was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. At a court appearance via video Friday afternoon, he was ordered to be held without bond.

"Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers ... two friends, but truly two amazing humans," Jim Gaudreau, uncle to both Johnny and Matthew, said in a statement, per Michael Russo of The Athletic. "We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages and love and support," Jim continued. "We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued privacy during this very difficult period of grief."

Johnny Gaudreau, known as "Johnny Hockey," played 10 full seasons in the NHL and was set to enter his third with the Columbus Blue Jackets after signing a seven-year, $68 million deal in 2022. He played his first eight seasons with the Calgary Flames.