Heartbreaking final photo emerges of Johnny Gaudreau with his wife Meredith and two kids - as he poses on the ice for the last time before tragic bike crash

As tributes pour in for tragic NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, a heartbreaking final image of him with his wife Meredith and children Noa and Johnny Jr has emerged on social media.

Gaudreau died at the age of 31 on Thursday after being struck by a drunk driver while out cycling with his brother Matthew, 29 in Oldhams Township, New Jersey.

The tragic incident occurred on the eve of their sister's wedding, with both brothers set to be groomsmen for Katie and Devin in Philadelphia on Friday.

Now, an emotional last photo has surfaced on Meredith's social media, with Johnny posing in his Columbus Blue Jackets uniform for the final time.

The photo was taken after the last game of the season back in April, with Johnny holding Johnny Jr and Meredith holding Noa.

Johnny Gaudreau poses with his wife Meredith and their two children Noa and Johnny Jr

Meredith also stood underneath a banner carrying Johnny's photo inside the hockey arena

The caption alongside the post reads: 'Last game of the season tonight. Love our guy so much.' 

In a second photo, Meredith and the kids are seen standing in the arena under a banner carrying the image of Johnny, and a third pic shows Noa looking up at her dad on a huge stained-glass window.

Meredith has yet to break her silence on the tragic incident, which comes almost six months to the day after the birth of their second child.

On August 22, she posted '2 under 2 life here we come' following the arrival of Johnny Jr, alongside a photo of her and Johnny Sr with the newborn. 

Higgins is accused of being intoxicated when he collided with Gaudreau and his brother

Johnny and Meredith tied the knot in September 2021, a year after he popped the question

Johnny, an NHL veteran, had spent the last two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets 

The driver - 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins of Woodstown, New Jersey (pictured) - is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide with no bail or bond

Meredith and Johnny got married back in September 2021.

On Friday morning, Columbus Blue Jackets released a statement to confirm the death of Gaudreau, who had emerged as one of the team's best players since his arrival on a $68million contract back in 2022.

It read: 'The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. 

'We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.

Matthew (left) and Johnny (right) both plied their trade on the ice at Boston College

New Jersey State Police Troopers confirmed they responded to a crash at 8:19 pm

The two brothers were struck and killed by another vehicle on Pennsville Auburn Road

'Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. 

'He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.

'Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy.

'At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve.'