Johnny Gaudreau's mother Jane pens heart-wrenching Thanksgiving message in memory of her deceased sons

This year, the Gaudreau family marked their second Thanksgiving since the deaths of NHl star Johnny Guadreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. On Wednesday, their mother Jane Gaudreau shared a heartbreaking Instagram story reflecting the ongoing grief that continues to define the holidays.

The story featured an autumn-themed fireplace scene with pumpkins on the hearth, soft orange lighting and a fire in the background overlaid with the message:

“Thanksgiving will not be the same without you.”

Jane tagged both @johnnygaudreau03 and @mattygaudreau11 adding small red hearts to the post. Below the message, she included a collage of family photos showing the brothers throughout different stages of life.

via Instagram/ @jgaudreau311/

Johnny and Matthew were killed on August 29, 2024 in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, when an allegedly drunk driver Sean M. Higgins, struck the brothers from behind while they were riding bicycles. The crash occurred the night before their sister’s wedding.

Earlier this year, a New Jersey judge upheld all charges against Higgins rejecting the defense’s attempt to argue that the brothers’ alleged impairment or bicycle lighting conditions contributed to the crash. Higgins faces multiple serious counts including aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide, tampering with evidence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. He has pleaded not guilty after declining a plea offer reported to carry a 35-year sentence.

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Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith reminisces how Cam Atkinson’s family helped them settle in Columbus

Earlier last month, the Columbus Blue Jackets honored longtime forward Cam Atkinson who officially retired from the NHL after signing a one-day contract to end his 13-season career with the franchise. The 36-year-old was celebrated at Nationwide Arena before a Thursday game taking one final lap in his familiar No. 13.

During the ceremony, Atkinson paused and pointed toward Johnny Gaudreau’s banner hanging in the rafters as a quiet tribute to his late friend and former teammate.

The moment hit deeply for Gaudreau’s widow Meredith who reshared Atkinson’s post-retirement interview on Instagram later that week. In her caption, she reflected on the Atkinson family’s impact on their lives when the Gaudreaus first arrived in Columbus.

“They were (and kinda still are) our first call for everything Columbus,” she wrote. “The way Cam and Natalie set us up, house hunted for us, drive-bys, videos, offering us their house while we were waiting! Helping us with all things new parents in a new city. And so much more. Amazing friends and amazing people.”

“So glad we’re both here now. Just missing the other 13 💙 Thank you, Cam! I bet he’s super proud of you.”

Meredith added that she and Natalie Atkinson had long talked about living in Columbus at the same time something that finally aligned this season.

Atkinson and Gaudreau shared a long history beyond the NHL. Both were Boston College stars, both wore No. 13 and both became central figures in Columbus hockey culture. Atkinson retired as one of the most productive players in Blue Jackets history with 213 goals and 402 points trailing only Rick Nash in both categories.