Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in Arabic
The infant son of the late Johnny Gaudreau was serenaded by the crowd in Columbus on Saturday with a sweet rendition of “Happy Birthday” as Johnny Jr. celebrated his first birthday.
During the Blue Jackets’ dominant 5-1 home win over the Chicago Blackhawks, those in attendance were informed it was Johnny Jr.’s first birthday and were asked to commemorate the special day by singing “Happy Birthday.”
The birthday boy appeared on the Jumbotron while surrounded by loved ones, including mom Meredith Gaudreau, who thanked the Blue Jackets in an Instagram Story for making Johnny Jr.’s day “so special.”
Join us in wishing a very special boy a very special 1st birthday!Happy birthday, Baby Johnny ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nKYaKq94V1— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) February 23, 2025
“I know baby Johnny’s dad appreciates this and the big win,” she posted Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Meredith — who is also a mom to daughter Noa, 2, and is expecting her third baby with Gaurdreau — penned a heartfelt message to her son on Instagram, calling him “Mommy’s rock.”
“Happy 1st Birthday to our baby boy! We love you so much Baby Johnny! Already so strong and so special. 2/22,” Meredith began.
“‘I can’t believe you gave me a boy,’ is all John said over and over again when baby Johnny arrived. I couldn’t stop staring at how happy John was- one of the best moments of my life Baby Johnny you are Mommy’s rock and Noa’s best friend. All of daddy’s accomplishments don’t compare to the pride and joy he had in being your father.
“I can’t wait to give you a little sibling soon! Everything for you Baby Johnny. We love you so much!”
Meredith concluded her post by thanking Gaudreau “for giving me our boy” and for their family.
“Crazy first year but today we celebrate,” she expressed.
The Gaudreau family endured unimaginable tragedy in August when the Blue Jackets forward and his younger brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver on the eve of their sister’s wedding.
Gaudreau and Matthew were biking in the evening on a rural Salem County road in New Jersey when Sean Higgins allegedly hit them.
Gaudreau was 31 years old and Matthew was 29.
The left winger spent the first nine years of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames, who selected him 104th overall in the 2011 draft.
Gaudreau joined the Blue Jackets in 2022 after agreeing to a seven-year, $68.25 million contract in free agency.
Team USA honored Gaudreau’s memory this month at the highly acclaimed 4 Nations Face-Off tournament that spanned Montreal and Boston. A jersey for the late forward hung in a stall reserved for him.
The tournament concluded Thursday with the U.S. falling to rival Canada in an overtime thriller, 3-2.
The Blue Jackets are currently fourth in the Metropolitan Division standings at 27-22-8.
