Johnny Gaudreau's mother Jane pens tear-jerking response to daughter Katie's heartfelt wedding wish

On Friday, late NHLer Johnny Gaudreau’s sister Katie shared a weather screenshot on her Instagram stories showing the 10-day forecast in Philadelphia. In the caption, she joked that she actually wants it to rain on her wedding day because that means there could be rainbows.

Katie added that there “better be two” rainbows, implying she’s hoping for a double rainbow on her big day in memory of her late brothers, Johnny and Matthew.

“Am I the only bride that hopes for rain on her wedding day??? Bc that means 🌈🌈 & there better be two,” she wrote tagging Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's handles.

Her mother, Jane Gaudreau, reposted the story on her own account with a tear-jerking message in the caption. She added:

“Katie… I promise you they will be there rain or shine! They wouldn’t miss it! ❤️”

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother died in a tragic road accident last year in August, the evening before their sister Katie's wedding. The brothers were cycling near Salem County when an allegedly drunk driver hit them with his truck. The driver, Sean Higgins, is currently facing charges including aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular homicide.

Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith reacts to “Johnny Hockey” chants at 2025 NHL Draft

Last week, Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, was invited on stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles to announce the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first-round picks. She received a standing ovation from the entire arena.

As Meredith walked out, fans chanted “Johnny Hockey” and “Johnny! Johnny!” She paused, visibly emotional, before announcing Jackson Smith as the Blue Jackets’ first selection. She later returned to announce Pyotr Andreyanov as the 20th overall pick.

“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. It’s truly an honor to be here and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”

“My greatest honor is representing (Johnny),” she added.

After the event, Meredith reposted a video on her Instagram stories originally shared by ex-NHLer Brad Richardson’s wife, Jessica Szohr. The video featured the special moment and the crowd’s reaction as Meredith walked on stage.

Sharing it on her own stories, Meredith wrote:

“Nothing makes me cry as quickly as Johnny chants do,” with two white heart emojis.

Smith, the first pick, later said via video that it was “an incredible moment” and that he felt honored to be part of such a meaningful tribute.

About the author

Anjum is an NHL reporter at Sportskeeda with over five years of professional experience in the spectator sports industry. Raised in Bahrain, Anjum grew up close to the Formula 1 and GP2 scene, but it was ice-sports that she truly had a chance to play at school.

Anjum prioritizes thorough research, fact-checking and verification of sources when reporting, and has worked for Oil on Whyte, Leafs Herald, the Nation of Blaugrana, Barca International Cules, FromTheBend, Last Word On Sports and NASA.

She got interested in ice hockey after watching the “MVP” trilogy as a second grader and has not gotten over the sport yet. Her favorite player is Alex Ovechkin, whose legendary one-timers live rent free in her heart. The iconic moment when Ovechkin reached 800 career goals with a hat trick in Chicago as the away crowd chanted “Ovi, Ovi” is probably her happiest memory from an ice-rink.

When not enjoying the game, Anjum can be found sailing, star-mapping or collaborating with fellow citizen scientists at NASA.

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Edited by Anjum Rajonno