Team USA Honors Late Johnny Gaudreau After Olympic Gold Win

Team USA men's hockey players carried Johnny Gaudreau's jersey and his two young children onto the ice Sunday as they celebrated winning Olympic gold in Milan. The touching tribute honored the late Columbus Blue Jackets star who would have likely been on the team himself.

Johnny and his brother Matthew were killed by an alleged drunk driver in New Jersey in August 2024 while in town for their sister's wedding. Just eight months later, the hockey world made sure Johnny's family felt his presence at the Olympics.

"Team USA really went above and beyond. It meant the world," Katie Gaudreau, the brothers' sister, said on Fox & Friends. She watched as the celebration unfolded, wondering why the team paused their group photo.

Then she understood. The players went into the crowd to bring Johnny's widow Meredith and their two children, including young Johnny on his second birthday, onto the ice for the team picture.

"This is what John wanted for his children," Katie said. "He wanted them to experience these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that he worked so hard for."

Matthew Tkachuk had carried Johnny's jersey throughout the tournament, round after round. Even during the gold medal ceremony, the jersey remained visible as a constant reminder of their missing teammate.

The game itself was a thriller. Jack Hughes scored in overtime to give Team USA a 2-1 victory over Canada, sealing the gold after Canada missed several scoring chances.

Why This Inspires

Katie Gaudreau said the grief hasn't disappeared, but the hockey community's support has helped her family move forward one day at a time. The gesture from Team USA showed how sports can create family beyond bloodlines.

"No parent, wife, sister, children should ever have to experience this tragedy," she said. "The fact that we're still here taking it step by step to honor the boys and their legacy is really in thanks to the community."

The outpouring of love for Johnny's children and Matthew's family shows what happens when a community refuses to let tragedy be the final word.