MILAN — In reality he should be here, but in spirit he will always be with them.
Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey was visible in Team USA’s locker room during last year’s Quadruple Tournament, and it made an appearance again at the Milan Olympics. It’s expected that his number 13 will continue to be present in all future international events.
They’ll honor him when they compete for gold against Canada on Sunday.
“It means everything,” Dylan Larkin shared. Many on Team USA, including Larkin himself, have played alongside Gaudreau on the national team. “We all know he should be here with us. At some point, we all played together. He should be here.”
“All I can say is we love him, and I’m glad we can keep him in our thoughts. We wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Gaudreau, a talented winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets, tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run incident with his brother Matthew in August 2024.
He was only 31, while Matthew was 29.
The driver, suspected of being intoxicated, struck his brother, who was riding a bicycle the night before a wedding scheduled for the following day.
Just three months prior, Gaudreau had been part of Team USA at the World Championships, which solidified his hopes of making the roster for both the Quad and the Olympics.
2026 Winter Olympics
More importantly, he left behind a pregnant wife, Meredith, and two young children. Their son, Carter, was born in April of last year.
The hockey community has mourned this heartbreaking loss. At the previous 4 Nations final held in Boston, fans chanted “Johnny Hockey” in his tribute. Though the initial shock has softened this year, Team USA has kept Gaudreau close to their hearts.
“I believe many players on this team had a close connection with Johnny,” said captain Auston Matthews. “We kept both of their jerseys in the locker room during the Four Nations last year, and I made sure his jersey was present as a reminder. While we focus on winning the gold, we also keep their memory alive.”
Meredith Gaudreau attended the event in Milan with Johnny’s parents, Guy and Jane, to support the team during the semi-final against Slovakia. If Team USA triumphs against Canada on Sunday, it will be seen as a tribute to Johnny.
“Meredith reached out to my wife a few days ago to say she would be here,” said Zach Werenski. “We’re thrilled for this game. It’s a very significant moment for them. Making it to the gold medal game is fantastic, but now it’s our duty to make them proud.”
