Widow's heartbreaking message on late hockey star Matthew Gaudreau's birthday: 'I am more and more in love with you and honoured to be your wife'

The widow of late hockey player Matthew Gaudreau has marked her husband's first birthday since his death earlier this year.

Madeline Gaudreau shared a post on social media on what would have been the hockey star's 30th birthday.

"Happy Birthday to the best husband and father 🤍 the moment I met you I instantly knew you were the one," she wrote alongside a photo of the couple.

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"As I celebrate you today (and everyday) I am more and more in love with you and honoured to be your wife," she continued.

Matthew and his brother Johnny, who was also a hockey player, were both killed by an allegedly drunk driver while biking the night before their sister Katie Gaudreau's wedding in New Jersey in the United States.

Both were set to serve as groomsmen.

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Madeline added a note for her late brother-in-law.

"John better have friends playing all day, double stuff Oreos and a nice glass of whiskey for you," she said.

She ended her post with a sweet thought about her husband, writing: "I love you and can't wait to kiss your face again."

It has been a difficult year for Madeline and her sister-in-law Meredith, with both regularly paying tribute to their late husbands following the family tragedy.

Matthew, 29, was an up-and-coming hockey coach. He had played professionally in the AHL, ECHL and Sweden for five years.

Brother Johnny, dubbed Johnny Hockey, was picked in the fourth round of the draft by Calgary in 2011 before signing a seven-year contract with Columbus in 2022.

The brothers cemented their positions in the hockey world during their college days before going on to establish successful careers in the field.

Following their deaths, a minute's silence for both Johnny and Matthew was held ahead of a game between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on September 24.

The emotional moment was watched by Johnny's widow Meredith Gaudrea, who held their daughter Nola during the moving gesture.

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In a post shared on September 1, Madeline spoke of the extraordinary bond between the brothers.

"It was always Matty & John," she wrote.

"I can't even put into words the bond these two had and right now I don't have the strength. They were each others [sic] biggest cheerleaders."

She continued: "Matt looked up to John in so many ways but the most important was the father he was to Noa & Johnny."

"I find extreme comfort knowing they are together, as they always were. I know they are still messing with each other up there and will continue to look over their families," Madeline said.

To her sister-in-law Meredith, Madeline said: "To Meredith – we will forever share this extreme heartbreak and terrible bond ... however, the boys couldn't have picked stronger woman as their wives and mothers of their children."

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"They blessed us with children.. through them we will always have a part of them earth side with us forever," she continued.

"I love you my handsome husband, I love you John, I love you Meredith, I love you Noa, I love you Johnny and I love you Baby Tripp."

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