Team USA Honors Johnny Gaudreau After Olympic Gold Win

The U.S. men's hockey team made sure Johnny Gaudreau was part of their Olympic gold medal celebration, even though he couldn't be there in person.

After defeating Canada in overtime in Milan, several players carried the late NHL star's jersey around the ice. They also invited two of his children onto the rink to take photos with the team, creating a moment that brought tears and smiles.

Gaudreau, known as "Johnny Hockey," died in 2024 when an alleged drunk driver struck him in New Jersey. He would have made the Olympic roster, according to head coach Mike Sullivan.

The tribute continued beyond the ice. Players chanted his nickname at their celebration Monday night, keeping his memory alive in every moment of their victory.

For Meredith Gaudreau, watching from home, the gestures meant everything. "It meant the world to me," she shared on Fox & Friends Wednesday morning.

She praised the team for being great friends and teammates. "Just to include our kids and honor John the way they do, it's all I can ask for right now," she said.

Meredith believes her husband would have been deeply moved. "I think he would be very, very thankful and very proud of these guys," she explained.

The team brought his jersey every step of the way through the tournament. That meant something special because Johnny really wanted to represent his country at the Olympics.

Why This Inspires

Sports have a unique power to heal and unite. The U.S. team showed that winning isn't just about the medal around your neck but about honoring the people who helped you get there.

Meredith said the worldwide support has been incredible, especially from people who never met her family. She reads almost all the messages and posts people send.

"John's impact impresses me more and more every day," she said. The Olympic stage gave the world a chance to see why he mattered so much to so many people.

The support helps on the hardest days, she added, reminding her family they're not alone.

Johnny Gaudreau's legacy lives on through every chant, every jersey held high, and every moment his teammates choose to remember him.