Team USA’s recent tribute to Johnny Gaudreau resonated deeply with those who knew him well.
In an Instagram story on Sunday, his widow, Meredith Gaudreau, expressed her gratitude for the team’s achievements.
“It means everything to me, and most importantly John,” she shared.
His sister, Katie, appeared on “Fox & Friends” the following Monday, expressing her appreciation for the team’s gesture with a thank you to Team USA.
“Team USA really went above and beyond, and it meant the world,” Katie said. “We’re still here, honoring these boys and their legacy thanks to the community and the support shown by Team USA. It’s incredible what this community can accomplish.”
Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, tragically lost their lives on August 29, 2024, due to a drunk driver while they were biking in New Jersey. At that moment, Gaudreau, an 11-year NHL veteran, was anticipated to join the U.S. Olympic team for 2026.
To honor him, the U.S. team hung his jersey in their locker room during the Olympics, just like they did in last year’s Quadruple Tournament.
After clinching the gold medal with a 2-1 overtime win against Canada in 2026, Team USA carried Gaudreau’s No. 13 jersey onto the ice. Players Matthew Tkachuk and Zach Werenski even included Gaudreau’s young children, Johnny Jr. and Noah, for a joint photo.
“We discussed it,” Werenski recalled. “I saw the kids and wanted to get the whole family in, but it was challenging due to the gates. So, I thought I’d just grab the kids.”
2026 Winter Olympics
Katie, reflecting on the moment, admitted she was puzzled at first when players brought their children onto the ice. But it soon became clear just how significant it was for them.
“When we lifted Johnny (Jr.) and Noah to celebrate their second birthday, it really touched us. This is what John hoped for, for them to have such once-in-a-lifetime experiences that he worked so hard to achieve,” she noted.
Johnny’s parents, Jane and Guy Gaudreau, were also present. They had arrived in Italy ahead of the semi-final against Slovakia. Had Gaudreau been on the team—something coach Mike Sullivan believed he would have been—it would have marked his Olympic debut, as NHL players were absent from the 2018 and 2022 Games.
Before his untimely passing, “Johnny Hockey” boasted 243 goals and 500 assists over a successful 11-season career with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets.
He also took part in four World Championships with Team USA and competed in the 2016 World Cup as a member of the U-23 North American squad. 2026 was expected to be his opportunity to finally qualify for the Olympics.
Instead, fans in Milan paid tribute to him, chanting “Johnny Hockey” in remembrance of his tragic loss.
