MONTREAL – Given the late Johnny Gaudreau, the Rangers will be returned when they were roommates playing for Team USA at the 2013 Junior U20 Championship in the UFA in Russia.
He remembers how Gaudlow lived in Pan and Nutella for two weeks. The way he had to play “friends” on TV when he fell asleep.
Gaudreau tragically passed away this summer along with his brother Matthew after being attacked by suspicion of a drunk driver in New Jersey.
He appears to be touching in some way to all the players representing the US in the NHL's 4 Nations face-off tournament.
That's why his 13th jersey is hanging from the locker room.
Although not on display due to individual initiatives, the mutual understanding between the 23 NHL players and USA hockey is to play this tournament for Johnny Hockey, Matthew and the Gordlow family.
“Everyone knows Johnny is here right now,” Trokek told the Post on Wednesday after Team USA practice in Brosard, Quebec. “I think everyone, on this team, at some point, we were able to cross the road with him and play with him, and we were lucky enough to get to know him a bit. If you knew Johnny, he would be. was a very easygoing man.
“Everyone loved him. It's nice to have a part of him here. We know he's mentally here with us. I. They are just trying to praise him as much as they can.”
Gaudreau's legacy was notable as Team USA prepares for its opening game against Finland at Bell Centre on Thursday night. Almost half of the roster was a teammate with one or both of the Gaudrow brothers at one point.
In addition to his jersey and a USA Crest poster hanging Gaudreau's name below, Team USA invited Gaudreau's father Guy to actually join with them on Tuesday.
That's also when they took a photo of their team. And yes, there was Gai Gaudrow standing next to Star Jack Hughes of the Devils as part of the group shot.
“When he was a freshman, my third year student [at Boston College]I always felt [he was] Claider said with a smile. “He was great, but he did it and had so much fun. He treated everyone the same way. He was just Johnny.
“He was nice to everyone. He always had a smile on his face. There are so many things I remember, but he was just a happy child.”
In addition to his captivating 11-year career in the NHL for the Flames (9 seasons) and the Blue Jacket (2), Gaudreau won a gold medal in the U20 national team in 2013. Bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championships.
His death may have transcended the sport of hockey, but consumed people who shared his love for the game. The young players who skated Gold at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship last month also wore Gordrow's jerseys in the dressing room for the entire tournament. After they won everything, the team took a photo with it.
Anything is possible when teams gather around their goals. And for the US-born NHL player competing in Montreal and Boston, the goal is to honor Gaudreau.
“He's mentally here,” Clayder said. “The biggest thing I stole from playing with Johnny and getting to know Johnny was how much he enjoyed the game of hockey. How humble he was, I mean, he was a superstar. He didn't think much about himself, but he thought of everyone else very high. He just loved playing a game of hockey. The biggest way to praise him was , except for victory, enjoy every second.”
