Team USA Honors Late Johnny Gaudreau with Olympic Gold Win

When Team USA's men's hockey players hoisted the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, they made sure Johnny Gaudreau was part of the moment that should have been his.

The Americans defeated Canada to win gold at the Milan Cortina Games, carrying Gaudreau's No. 13 jersey throughout the tournament. Gaudreau 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.

Gaudreau had been on track to make the Olympic team. His absence weighed on his teammates' hearts throughout every game they played.

After the final buzzer, Zach Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk skated around the ice with Gaudreau's jersey raised high. But the most moving moment came when the team brought Gaudreau's children onto the ice for the gold medal team photo.

His widow Meredith, parents Guy and Jay, and their oldest children watched from the stands. Little John Jr., celebrating his second birthday that day, was held by Dylan Larkin as the team posed with their gold medals.

"He was so near and dear to us," Brady Tkachuk said. "We did it for him."

Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed what everyone already knew. "He was one of America's very best," Sullivan said before the gold medal game.

Why This Inspires

Werenski played alongside Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets. Noah Hanifin shared the ice with him on the Calgary Flames. These weren't just teammates honoring a fallen player—they were friends keeping a promise.

The Americans had honored Gaudreau at multiple world championship events since his death. But this victory, on hockey's biggest stage, felt different.

"It means everything—we all know he should be here with us," Larkin said. "He should be with us."

The team made sure Gaudreau's spirit was present at every game. His jersey traveled with them, a constant reminder of who they were playing for and what they were playing to honor.

On what would have been one of the proudest moments of Gaudreau's career, his teammates made sure his children got to experience it anyway.