As the United States Men’s Hockey Team was celebrating its overtime win on the ice, they made sure to include a very special member of the team.
Members of the team held up a No. 13 jersey with Johnny Gaudreau’s name on the back, honoring the star player who was tragically killed in a hit-and-run in August 2024 alongside his brother, Matthew.
It was such a heartfelt moment that truly made Team USA’s impressive victory even better, as the players were able to honor their dear friend and former teammate. And fans loved to see Gaudreau included in the celebration.
“For Johnny ❤️. Watching Team USA hold up the #13 Jersey on the ice to honor him while his family looks on from the stands is a moment that is going to be remembered forever. What an incredibly beautiful and heavy tribute. Playing for something so much bigger,” one person commented on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“You are forever a gold medal winner Johnny,” another person shared.
Johnny Gaudreau’s Children Join The Team Photo
After Team USA won gold and were awarded their medals, they lined up on the ice to take a team photo. However, they had to make sure that Gaudreau was represented, and what better way to do it than to have his family take the ice.
Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, and their children, plus his parents were in the stands throughout the United States Men’s Hockey Team’s journey in the Winter Olympics, and after the game, Zach Werenski and Dylan Larkin went over and grabbed Gaudreau’s children so they could hold up their father’s jersey in the team photo.
Meredith Gaudreau Reveals Why She Decided To Attend Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026
In an interview with the NHL, Johnny’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, spoke about her decision to attend the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, saying that she couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
“Quick decision,” Gaudreau said. “We thought, ‘We can’t pass this up.’ Once in a lifetime opportunity.”
“It’s fun to be a part of this,” she added. “We wished we were a part of it, so when we got the call to come out, it felt like maybe [Johnny] did make the team. So it’s fun here to represent him, and support everyone who’s honoring him as well.”
And with that, she’s touched that the team has allowed him to remain a part of all these special moments.
world to us as a family. It’s heavy being here but it’s one of those things that you can’t not come out. … I really thank all of them for bringing his jersey, hanging it up, talking about it. That’s all I can ask for.”
So, when they won the Gold Medal, it was fitting as Mike Sullivan explained how Johnny and Matthew have served as an inspiration for the team throughout their Olympic journey.
“He provides a lot of inspiration for all of us with how he lived his life, his dedication to the game, his family,” Sullivan said. “He’s just a good person on the ice and off the ice, and I think he’s an inspiration to our players to this very day.”
Team USA Men’s Hockey Honors Johnny Gaudreau After Historic Gold Medal Victory Against Canada