Madeline Gaudreau has announced she has given birth to a son.
After her husband, Matthew Gaudreau, died in a tragic accident in August along with his brother, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, Madeline Gaudreau revealed the baby news on Dec. 29, along with his name that honors the baby boy’s late father.
“Tripp Matthew 🤍🦋 Mommy & Daddy’s world,” she wrote in an Instagram post, alongside a photo of the baby holding a hand, while a sign reading “He’s here” was positioned near him.
Her news set off a flood of well wishes.
“Beautiful name,” one person wrote. “I know it has to be so sad not to share this with him… makes me cry.”
“💙 Daddy and Uncle John are watching over you Tripp 💙,” another person commented.
“Welcome sweet boy,” someone else wrote. “I’m sure you are having all the feels. I hope you can feel an entire world wrapping their arms around you 🙏”
“Congratulations! Matthew is looking down on you both so proud!” another person wrote.
In late August, Matthew Gaudreau, 29, and Johnny Gaudreau, 31, were riding their bikes in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, when they were hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver. They were pronounced dead at the scene. The brothers were planning to attend their sister’s wedding the next day.
The brothers played hockey together at Boston College and Johnny Gaudreau became a star in the NHL, first with the Calgary Flames and then with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who honored him at the team’s opening home game this year.
Madeline Gaudreau revealed in June that she and Matthew Gaudreau were expecting theirfirst child together.
“Baby Gaudreau Arriving in December 🤍🌈,” she captioned a black-and-white picture of them with a sonogram sticking out of her back pocket,
Madeline Gaudreau honored her late husband in October when she had a baby shower.
“Baby Shower of my Dreams,” she captioned a series of photos from the event on Instagram.
She also thanked the event’s planner, noting, “The way you were able to tie in my husband brought instant tears when I walked in. All my friends and family, nothing will bring his dad back or uncle john, but I am glad he has so many amazing people around him to remind him how amazing they are 💙.”
A joint funeral was held for Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau in September.
During her eulogy, Madeline Gaudreau said, “For anyone that knows Matty knows he was born to be a dad. The moment we found out about our son Tripp, it consumed his every day. He was downloading apps, ordering books, finding the best diaper brand, making sure I had the best vitamins and asking for tips from John.”
She also said her husband went with her to all of her doctor appointments and was focused on building a nursery for their baby.
“Matthew worked so hard on that room, and I can feel him in there every time I go in it. Matthew was so excited to welcome Tripp into this world, and although the plan now looks a little different, I know Matt will surround his son for the rest of his life,” she said.
“I’m so thankful God gave us a child, a little Matty to run around for life, to carry on his legacy. Tripp will know how much his father loved him, and I promise to do all the things with him we talked about.”