In a heartbreaking post, the widow of former NHL star Matthieu Gaudreau described the “pain” of losing her would-be father, who was killed last week along with his brother Johnny Gaudreau in a car struck by a suspected drunk driver, and promised her late husband that she would “keep trying” for their baby.
Madeline Gaudreau, who is due to give birth to her first child, Tripp, in December, wrote that she has “never felt more pain” than when her 29-year-old husband was hit and killed Thursday night in Old Mans Township, New Jersey, while riding his bike with his brother, a Columbus Blue Jackers player.
“I'm so happy that you chose me to be your wife and that you love me. You are the best thing about me,” she wrote on Saturday alongside a photo of her embracing her husband.
“I know you are watching in as much pain as I am looking up. I will continue to hold on for you and our son. I love you so much, Matthew,” she continued.
In another post, she shared a photo of the pair holding hands and proclaimed their relationship had been “the best 14 years of my life.”
“I will cherish those years and you for the rest of my life.”
Madeleine also shared a photo of Matthew and his brother Johnny, 31, and praised their close bond.
“It was always Mattie and John. The bond between those two is indescribable and I can't put it into words now. They were each other's biggest supporters,” Madeline said.
She later wrote to Johnny's widow, Meredith, “We will forever share this extreme grief and terrible bond.”
“But these boys could not have chosen stronger women to be their wives and mothers for their children,” she continued.
“We will support each other through all seasons, just like our boys did for each other. They gave us children, and through them, we will have a part of them on our side of the earth forever.”
Madeline also responded multiple times to similar posts by Johnny's wife, Meredith, offering her support as they deal with their grief.
“John and Matty. You can't hear one of them without hearing the other. They're always next to each other.” Meredith wrote on Instagram.Madeline responded, “I love this. Mattie loved John just the same. I love you, Noah and Johnny too.”
Police said the brothers were riding their bicycles on County Road 51 in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on Thursday night when they were struck by suspect Shawn Higgins, 43, of Woodstown.
According to a police affidavit, officers who arrived on the scene detected a “strong odor of alcohol.”
Higgins allegedly told officers he had drunk “five or six beers” before the fatal crash.
Higgins, who is the financial officer for Gaudenzia Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Centre, has been charged with two counts of causing death by motor vehicle in connection with the devastating crash.
The Gaudreau couple were killed less than 24 hours before they were scheduled to serve as groomsmen at the Friday afternoon wedding of his sister, Katie, to ice hockey player Devin Joyce.
Katie's wedding, which was planned for Gloucester, has been cancelled following the tragedy.
Both brothers were hockey players, with Johnny playing 11 seasons in the NHL with the Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames.
Johnny played in 81 games last season and scored 48 points.
Heartbroken hockey fans have erected a memorial at the scene of the tragic accident: crosses made from old hockey sticks inscribed with the brothers' names and their respective player numbers, Gatorade and flowers have been left in their memory.
