On Thursday, Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan was named the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, an honor awarded every year to the NHL player who best “exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.”

Meredith Gaudreau shared a beautiful and emotional moment with her late husband Johnny's former teammate and close friend Sean Monahan. The National Hockey League (NHL) named Monahan, 30, the recipient of the 2024-25 Masterton Memorial Trophy and enlisted Meredith to surprise the Blue Jackets center with the honor.

When Gaudreau died in an accident in August of 2024, Monahan was devastated and struggled to get back on the ice. However, he became one of the key figures to support Meredith Gaudreau and her three children as they processed Johnny's passing.