Johnny Gaudreau’s Wife Meredith Gets Tattoos Using His Ashes After the NHL Star’s Death
Meredith chose to honor her late husband by adding the names of their two children and the word "forever" to her arm and ring finger
Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram
Meredith and Johnny GaudreauMeredith Gaudreau is honoring her late husband Johnny Gaudreau by making a few more permanent memories.
The wife of the seven-time NHL All-Star recently added three tattoos as a tribute to her husband, who was killed by an alleged drunk driver in August 2024. The 31-year-old's brother Matthew, 29, was also killed in the accident, which happened a day before their sister’s wedding in New Jersey.
In a post on Instagram, tattoo artist Tay Nicole Clinch shared a bit of background about Meredith’s decision to get a cremation tattoo, which is when the tattoo ink is mixed with a loved one’s ashes.
Meredith received a tattoo with the word “forever” in script alongside the side of her left ring finger, as well as the names of their two children — Noa Harper, 2, and Johnny Edward, 11 months — on the inside of her forearm.
Tattoo artist Clinch wrote that she had never done a cremation tattoo but that she made an exception to accommodate Meredith’s request, prioritizing safety and consulting a medical professional for clearance and guidance.
“Shortly after, she let me in on her story and it’s safe to say I got pretty emotional when I’d come to realize this was a story I had already knew of and was brought to tears over in the past,” Clinch wrote.
She added, “This tattoo became an additional way to carry his presence with her alongside their babies— thank you for trusting me with something so special and letting me play a small role in your healing journey.”
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Related: Johnny Gaudreau's Family Watch Somberly as Blue Jackets Raise Memorial Banner After His Death
In a memorial service for the brothers in September, Meredith shared that she is expecting the couple’s third child.
Last month, while making an emotional trip to Calgary for a tribute to Johnny’s two former teams, the Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets, Meredith revealed that she had recently received her first tattoo — her late husband’s name and his No. 13 inked on her wrist.
"I thought it would be cool to say that I did that in Calgary because that is where his autograph really took off," Meredith explained during an interview after the Tuesday, Dec. 3 game with Sportsnet. "It's like, this is where it all began."
She smiled while explaining that she’s never had a tattoo before getting her late husband’s name and his No. 13 inked on her wrist. “I was a little nervous,” she said, “but I really love it.”
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