The only thing that could make the U.S. men’s hockey team’s gold medal win over Canada more emotional was the personal tribute the team gave to their former teammate Johnny Gaudreau, who tragically passed away in August 2024. There wasn’t a dry eye in the stadium as Johnny’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, passed the couple’s young children to Team USA’s players so that they could take photos with the team on the ice – and with the custom USA jersey bearing Johnny’s last name and #13 as a tribute to his life and legacy.
As if watching the toddlers skate around on the ice while being held by current members of the American men’s ice hockey team wasn’t emotional enough, Meredith Gaudreau has honored her husband and the father of her three children with a heartfelt message. Here’s what she said about Johnny Gaudreau and their family together on the day of the men’s hockey final at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
The USA Won Gold on Their Son’s Birthday
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The gold medal game was won in overtime by the United States on a day that is synonymous with American victory in ice hockey. Played on February 22, 2026, the game took place on the anniversary of the 1960 gold medal win by Team USA at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY and the 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey match against the Soviet Union. But February 22nd is a historic and sentimental day for the Gaudreau family for another very different reason. That is because February 22nd is the couple’s son, Johnny Jr’s, second birthday.
Taking to her Instagram account to post a tribute and heartfelt message in honor of her son’s birthday, Meredith Gaudreau shared the message, “2-22 is baby Johnny’s birthday ⭐️ !! Special date picked by his daddy due to travel at the time❤️ Happy 2nd birthday to our baby Johnny boy! We love you so much 💙 I am so proud of you 🤍 Couldn’t think of a better way to spend your 2nd birthday than for a fun day tomorrow 🫶🏼 !!”
The Couple Married in 2021 and Share Three Children Together
GettyMeredith Gaudreau walks toward the stadium prior to the 2025 NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings on March 01, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Johnny Gaudreau married Meredith Gaudreau, who has her master’s degree in pediatric nursing, in 2021 and the two quickly began the family they’d always wanted to have together.
Before his tragic death in August 2024, Johnny and Meredith were able to welcome two children together – daughter Noa Harper Gaudreau born in September 2022 and son Johnny Gaudreau Jr born in February 2024. Seven months after Johnny passed away, Meredith gave birth to their third child and second son, Carter Michael Gaudreau, on April 1, 2025. Since Johnny’s passing, Meredith Gaudreau has regularly kept her late husband’s legacy alive by taking to social media to post photos of their family and her support for U.S. ice hockey.
Meredith Gaudreau Honors Johnny Gaudreau With Emotional Message After USA Wins Gold