Shortly after winning gold in a classic game against Canada, Team USA paid tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew.
The Gaudreau brothers were killed by a car in August 2024 while riding their bicycles on the eve of their sister’s wedding. NHL All-Star Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny and his 29-year-old brother were pronounced dead at the scene.
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Gaudreau Sr., known as “Johnny Hockey,” played 11 seasons in the NHL. At the time of his death, he was about to begin his third season with the Blue Jackets after playing his first nine seasons with the Calgary Flames. He is expected to be a strong contender for Team USA in these Olympics.
The Gaudreau family was in attendance in the gold medal game, where the U.S. men’s hockey team defeated Canada in sudden death 2-1 after a 1-1 tie during the regular season. The brothers were honored in the locker room of Milan’s Santa Giulia Arena, where Johnny’s No. 13 jersey was displayed on Team USA’s jersey. Along with Johnny’s No. 13 jersey, Matthew’s No. 21 jersey is displayed on the wall for USA Hockey players to honor their fallen teammate.
After the gold-medal-winning game, members of Team USA — including Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk — took Gaudreau’s jerseys to the ice. Afterward, Johnny’s two children, Noah and Johnny Jr., were brought to the ice to hold up their father’s jersey for a Team USA photo, a touching moment honoring his legacy and contributions to the game.
Team USA players celebrate their medals and Johnny Gaudreau’s children on the ice after defeating Canada to win gold (AFP via Getty Images)
Johnny’s widow, Meredith Gaudreau, who looked on emotionally, announced at her brother’s memorial service in September 2024 that she was pregnant with their third child, a boy named Carter Michael.
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The brothers’ parents, Guy Gaudreau and Jane Gaudreau, were also in attendance.
Gay told ESPN on Friday that USA Hockey has let the family know Johnny is expected to be on the roster for this year’s game.
Team USA hockey players pay tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau after winning gold against Canada (Getty Images)
“He wanted to join the team,” Gay told the publication. “It would be nice if he could be here.”
Gaudreau’s parents were hesitant to accept USA Hockey’s invitation to Milan, they said.
“Both of our daughters kept saying to us for 24 hours: ‘You have to go. The boys are going to want you to. This means a lot to John,'” Jane told ESPN. “This means a lot to our family and we are happy to remember how much our kids meant to hockey.”