Meredith Gaudreau announces pregnancy in emotional eulogy for Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau

In an emotional and tear-filled eulogy for her husband, Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith Gaudreau revealed Monday that she is 9 weeks pregnant with the couple's third child.

Gaudreau said the week she found out about her third child was her "favorite week" of her life.

"We're actually a family of five," she said during Monday's funeral in Media, Pennsylvania. "I'm in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby. A total surprise, but, again, Johnny's beaming and so excited. I was so nervous because, again, this was a total surprise, but his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me even though I was driving the car.

"After the initial excitement sank in, every time he would look at me he would just say, 'You're nuts, you know that?'" Meredith said Monday. "Noa, our oldest, is not even 2 yet. In less than three years of marriage, we have created a family of five. It doesn't even sound possible, but I look at it as the ultimate blessing. How lucky am I to be the mother of John's three babies, our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances."

Both of Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau's children, Noa and Johnny, were born in Columbus.

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed Aug. 29 when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while bicycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, close to their hometown in Salem County, New Jersey State Police said.

Meredith Gaudreau remembers Johnny Gaudreau with Columbus Blue Jackets

As she remembered Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith Gaudreau said Columbus "quickly became home and became our family."

"The memories we made in Columbus as a growing family are the best years of my life," she said.

Meredith Gaudreau said there were many signs that Johnny's signing with the Blue Jackets was the right choice, saying, "You know it's a special place when the hockey season is over, but you're not quite ready to pack up and go home yet."

Meredith Gaudreau called Columbus "a hidden gem" and the "most underrated city."

"The way I described Columbus is similar to the way I describe John," she said. "You have to come and find out for yourself, and then once you know it, you love it."

After nine seasons with the Calgary Flames, Johnny Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68.25 million deal with the Blue Jackets as an unrestricted free agent.

"I can't describe how shattered I am that I don't get more time in your amazing city with John," she said.

In two seasons with the Blue Jackets, Gaudreau had 33 goals and 101 assists in 161 games.

"John was so proud to wear your colors every single day," Meredith Gaudreau said.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith is pregnant with third child