Team USA Honors Fallen Teammate with Gold Medal Win

When Team USA clinched Olympic gold in men's hockey with a dramatic 2-1 overtime win against Canada, the celebration belonged to everyone who helped them get there, including those no longer with them.

Moments after the final buzzer in Milan, players Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski, and Matthew Tkachuk skated around the ice carrying the No. 13 jersey of Johnny Gaudreau. The beloved teammate died in 2024 at age 31 when he and his younger brother Matthew were struck by an SUV while riding bicycles.

Then came the moment that brought the entire arena to tears. As Team USA gathered for their gold medal photo, players brought Gaudreau's children, Noa and Johnny Jr., onto the ice to join them.

"To win, to have his jersey out there in the team photo, have his kids come out and be with us, we're obviously thinking of him," said Matthews, the team captain. "The impact that he's had on so many guys in this room is special."

Gaudreau would have been a strong candidate for this Olympic team. He was a gifted playmaker with nearly a point per game over 763 NHL career games and had committed to the U.S. program by attending the world championships shortly before his death.

Throughout the tournament, Team USA hung Gaudreau's jersey in their locker room before each game, continuing a tradition they started at last year's 4 Nations Face-Off. His widow Meredith and parents Guy and Jane watched from the stands as the team honored their son's memory.

Why This Inspires

The gesture showed how sports can unite people in both joy and remembrance. Werenski, who played alongside Gaudreau with the Columbus Blue Jackets, said they wanted to include the whole family but settled on bringing the children down due to arena logistics.

Dylan Larkin even found room for lightness amid the emotion, joking about Gaudreau's notorious reluctance to play defense. "Ironic on the defensive side, he would've never been back there," Larkin laughed, before adding warmly, "But we miss him and we love him, and we love his family."

The players spoke of feeling Gaudreau's presence throughout their Olympic run. Larkin said he believed somehow Johnny and Matthew were protecting Team USA's net, keeping pucks out during close calls.

This gold medal belongs to everyone who wore the USA jersey, past and present.