Widow Meredith Gaudreau Announces Blue Jackets' First-Round NHL Picks

At the 2025 NHL Draft, Meredith Gaudreau, widow of late Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, emotionally announced the team's first-round picks, including Jackson Smith and Pyotr Andrew Anov, receiving a standing ovation and chants of "Johnny Hockey" from the crowd. Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew tragically died in August 2024 after being struck by a drunk driver while bicycling in New Jersey. The Blue Jackets have continued to honor Johnny’s legacy, with Meredith sharing personal moments such as the birth of their third child named after Johnny, and displaying his signature in a tattoo. Additionally, Sascha Boumedienne, an alum of the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets and son of former NHL player Josef Boumedienne, was selected 28th overall by the Winnipeg Jets, marking the third first-round NHL draft pick from that program. Boumedienne had a strong freshman season at Boston University and led defensemen in scoring at the 2025 U18 World Championships, continuing the Blue Jackets' tradition of developing NHL talent. These moments highlighted a draft filled with emotional tributes and emerging young talent connected to the Blue Jackets organization.