Team USA honours Johnny Gaudreau with family tribute after Olympic gold win

Team USA paid tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau after securing a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in the men’s Olympic hockey final in Milan.

As celebrations began following the gold medal win, captain Auston Matthews, along with Zach Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk, skated around the ice carrying Gaudreau’s No. 13 jersey.

The team later invited Gaudreau’s children, Noa and Johnny Jr., onto the ice to join the squad for the official gold medal photograph.

“To be able to get it done like that, to win, to have his jersey out there in the team photo, have his kids come out and be with us, we're obviously thinking of him,” Matthews said.

“Just felt like the impact that he's had on so many guys in this room is special. He was with us in spirit the whole tournament.”

Gaudreau, 31, and his younger brother Matthew, 29, were killed in 2024 after being struck by a sport utility vehicle while riding bicycles.

Gaudreau had previously represented the United States at the World Championships and was widely considered a potential candidate for the Olympic squad.

Throughout the tournament, Team USA hung Gaudreau’s jersey in the dressing room before each game, continuing a tribute first observed during last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith, and his parents, Guy and Jane, attended the final. Werenski said the players had discussed bringing the family onto the ice.

“We saw them up there, and we wanted to get the whole family on, but it was kind of hard with the gate, so we figured we'd grab the kids. Special moment seeing Guy and Jane.”

Dylan Larkin added, “Johnny and Matty should be here, and that is the biggest loss that all of us at USA Hockey, their family, our family, has gone through.”