NHL Draft 2025: Meredith Gaudreau’s Emotional Standing Ovation

Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of late hockey player Johnny Gaudreau, received a standing ovation while attending the 2025 NHL Draft.

At the Friday, June 27 event, which was held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, Meredith took to the stage to announce the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first-round pick.

While on stage, Meredith received loud applause and a standing ovation from the crowd in attendance in an emotional moment, per Today. The crowd also chanted her late husband’s name to show their support.

Meredith took the opportunity to thank everyone who had supported her and her family following the death of Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. The siblings both died in August 2024 after being fatally struck by a drunk driver while riding bikes together. They were 31 and 29, respectively.

“I just wanted to take this time to thank every single team and every single fan base for your support for my family this past season,” Meredith said on stage, per footage published via Today. “It’s truly an honor to be here and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”

The driver who hit the Gaudreau brothers near their hometown in New Jersey, Sean Higgins, now faces six charges, including aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular homicide. He has pleaded not guilty on all charges.

Johnny and Matthew’s deaths were just one day before their sister Katie’s wedding in Philadelphia, which was postponed after the tragic incident. Both men were scheduled to be groomsmen at the ceremony. Katie’s wedding has since been rescheduled to July 2025.

Meredith was pregnant at the time of Johnny’s death and gave birth to their third child, son Carter, in April. The couple also shared daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny Jr., 15 months. Meanwhile, Matthew’s widow, Madeline, gave birth to their first child in December 2024, naming him Tripp Matthew in his father’s honor.

Earlier this month, Meredith opened up about her grief and spoke candidly about the moment she learned her husband was dead in a poignant letter published in the Players’ Tribune.

Related: Meredith Gaudreau Calls Vigils for Late Husband Johnny and Brother ‘Special’

Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images Meredith Gaudreau is feeling support from the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames while mourning the deaths of her late husband, Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. “I like to think that these two cities doing this for John on our wedding anniversary is extra special,” she wrote via her […]

“I was in shock. I was keeled over for days sick to my stomach,” she wrote in the letter, published on June 12. “It’s completely indescribable. The only person who can relate to me is my own sister-in-law. I see her and my heart breaks for her.”

The Columbus Blue Jackets released a statement shortly after news was reported of Johnny and Matthew’s deaths.

“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the franchise posted via X in August. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden death of Johnny and Matthew.”