Son, husband, father, brother, uncle, teammate. Johnny Gaudreau meant so much to his loved ones and to the hockey world. Grief isn’t an easy thing to overcome, but as Meredith Gaudreau has come to find, there are some things that help make it more bearable, one of which is community. And in an unexpected twist, it turned out that the very village that Meredith has been finding comfort in was a parting gift of sorts from her late husband.

Johnny Gaudreau exemplified not only the skills of a top-tier hockey player for the Columbus Blue Jackets but also embraced the roles of a devoted husband to his wife and father to his children. The news of his passing left a profound impact on everyone, with thoughts turning to his two children, Noa and John, who now face a future without their father by their side. But Gaudreau made a choice before his passing that has turned into a boon for his entire family.

In the latest episode of Never Offside with Julie & Cat on the NHL’s official YouTube channel, Meredith Gaudreau revealed her husband’s almost prescient decision, “I’m so lucky for it. So actually at the end of last season, we moved houses, and it was like all John’s idea.” She added, “He was like, ‘Let’s move,’ and then it was almost kind of crazy to think back to because he was like, ‘You know, I want you to be closer to the other girls like when I’m away,’ and I was like, you know all these weird things when you look back. So he kind of like set all this up for us; this is like what he wanted for me and the kids.”

The hockey star aimed for his family to forge strong connections with the families of his former teammates. Yet, who could have anticipated that this decision would turn out to be precisely what Meredith and the children needed in a future such as this? “We’re like this weird team that we all live in one neighborhood, like it’s just boom boom boom, like teammate after teammate, and I’m so thankful for that now, obviously, um, but we have such a good group.”

“It’s, you know, from walking the dogs to middle-of-the-night calls and then even like Brittany Monahan here now, like it was you were reminding me of her because she’ll text me like every night being like, ‘My phone’s on loud, call me,’ and I also, you know, am on baby watch, but um, they are the best group. I’m so lucky for them, and they’re like family; they always were, though, like you guys know how it is, but um, it’s really special here,” Meredith expressed.

In a display of unity reminiscent of a well-coordinated team, these hockey families rallied around Meredith and her children during this challenging time, offering their unwavering support. She also shared insights into how Sean Monahan‘s wife, Brittany, has been a pillar of support for her family. Indeed, Monahan spent numerous seasons alongside Johnny during their time with the Calgary Flames, and the two were the best of friends. But their friendship remains immortalized through their children now.

Finding comfort in the community Johnny Gaudreau helped cultivate

“I still haven’t gotten over it; I don’t think I ever will. Ninety percent of the time it doesn’t feel real. You lose your best friend, your teammate, it’s tough to comprehend,” remarked Sean Monahan in the wake of Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic passing. The two hockey players embarked on their NHL careers with the Calgary Flames, but after 8 seasons with the franchise, Gaudreau was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, though their friendship remained strong as ever.

But despite the heartbreak of loss, the bond of friendship has now been passed down to their sons. Recall when Meredith pointed out how these hockey families resided in close proximity to one another? This has allowed their children to form close friendships with one another. In fact, Monahan’s son, Leo, has developed a close relationship with his late best friend’s son, John.

Speaking to Sportsnet, Monahan once described a picture of their two sons, just over 3 months apart in age, playing together in a playpen. He noted that regular playdates between their kids had now become the norm. And Monahan’s move to Columbus has really been a source of strength to Meredith, who said, “It’s just crazy, like how such a perfect storm, but to have him [Sean Monahan] be a big part of everything with us is really special too.”

But it’s not just Sean Monahan. Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner also lives nearby and has been supporting the Gaudreaus. In fact, he even dressed up as Donald Duck for baby Johnny, who’s obsessed with ducks’, first birthday party! “It was so sweet,” said Meredith, recalling the moment. “He was like full character the whole party.”

It’s these snapshots that really capture the importance of having your village around you. Johnny Gaudreau’s death was just as untimely as it was heartbreaking, but it is heartening to note just how important his decision to move has turned out to be for his young family. He may be gone, but his actions, his deeds, the essence of who he was, continue to live on through his loved ones.