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Zach Werenski, former teammate of the late Johnny Gaudreau, was given a very important job while spending time with Johnny’s 2-year-old daughter, Noa.
Johnny’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, shared pictures from a recent hang Noa had with Zach, 27, who played alongside Johnny for the final two years of his NHL career with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“Spoiling our girl 🥹🌸🤍,” Meredith captioned one of the photos, which showed Zach playfully applying some makeup to Noa’s face.
In another pic, Noa could be seen smiling wide for the camera while wearing a “Mom’s Little Star”’ t-shirt. Meredith captioned the picture, “Most spoiled two in the Werenski house…Beau and Noa ❤️.”
Meredith was referencing Beau Hayes, 5, the son of late NHL star Jimmy Hayes. In 2021, Hayes died of an accidental overdose at the age of 31, the same age Johnny was when he and his brother, Matthew, were struck and killed by a drunk driver in August.
The pictures of Noa were originally shared by Zach’s wife, Odette Peters, who called Noa “my favorite visitor.”
Meredith and Johnny also share son Johnny, 9 months. At Johnny and Matthew’s memorial service in September, Meredith revealed she was pregnant with the couple’s third baby.
After Johnny’s death, Meredith and Kristen Hayes, wife of the late Jimmy, bonded over their shared grief and experience.
“So proud of you Meredith,” Kristin shared via Instagram after Meredith’s speech at Johnny’s funeral. “I’m so glad I found the strength to speak at Jimmy’s services. Some days I have no idea how we do it, but we do. I know every single emotion you are feeling today and every other day after that. You’re incredible.”
Meredith later responded via Instagram, “We are members of a club no one wants to be in. Love you, Kristen.”
Since Johnny’s death, Meredith has been vocal about how much her family has appreciated the support of the hockey community, particularly the Blue Jackets organization.
More than a dozen Columbus players, plus their wives and girlfriends, showed up to celebrate Noa’s 2nd birthday in September — a show of solidarity and kindness that was deeply felt by Meredith.
“We love you all,” Meredith wrote via Instagram on September 30 alongside a picture from the party. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart 💙really special group that will forever be family to me and my babies.”
On the two-month anniversary of his death, Meredith wrote a letter to her late husband, who she said “will always be my everything.”
“John, we love you so much,” Meredith shared via Instagram on October 29. “I grow more and more proud of you every single day, (I have since the day I met you) and it continues even though you are in heaven. Thank you for giving me our hockey family, our children and such a beautiful life as your wife.”
