Team USA Honors Johnny Gaudreau with Olympic Gold Win
Team USA wins Olympic gold in hockey, dedicating victory to late teammate Johnny Gaudreau, with emotional tribute and 'Johnny Hockey' chants at Santagiulia Arena.
“I think he's had a big impact on a lot of guys in our room, a lot of guys grew up with him, played with him...”
Team USA's thrilling Olympic gold medal win against Canada was bittersweet, as they honored their late teammate Johnny Gaudreau, who tragically passed away in August 2024. Gaudreau, a talented winger, was killed along with his brother Matthew by a drunk driver while cycling, just months after playing for the U.S. at the World Championships.
The team paid tribute to Gaudreau by holding up his No. 13 jersey during the medal ceremony and bringing his children, Noa and Johnny Jr., onto the ice for the team photo. Players Zach Werenski and Dylan Larkin were emotional as they celebrated with Gaudreau's family, including his widow Meredith and parents Guy and Jane. “We did it for him,” said Brady Tkachuk, highlighting the impact Gaudreau had on the team.
Team USA's gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics was a moment of triumph and tribute, especially for Johnny Gaudreau, a fallen hockey star. As the Americans lined up for the medal ceremony, players held up Gaudreau's No. 13 jersey, a symbol of their respect and admiration for him. After receiving their medals, Zach Werenski and Dylan Larkin brought Gaudreau's children, Noa and Johnny Jr., onto the ice to join in the victory photo, surrounded by their father's jersey.
This heartfelt gesture was a fitting tribute to Gaudreau, who had been training to join the US Olympic team before his tragic death in August 2024. The team's dedication to honoring his memory was evident throughout the tournament, with his jersey displayed in the locker room and players paying emotional tributes to him on the ice.
Team USA's gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics was a moment of triumph and tribute, especially for Johnny Gaudreau, a fallen hockey star. As the Americans lined up for the medal ceremony, players held up Gaudreau's No. 13 jersey, a symbol of their respect and admiration for him. After receiving their medals, Zach Werenski and Dylan Larkin brought Gaudreau's children, Noa and Johnny Jr., onto the ice to join in the victory photo, surrounded by their father's jersey.
This heartfelt gesture was a fitting tribute to Gaudreau, who had been training to join the US Olympic team before his tragic death in August 2024. The team's dedication to honoring his memory was evident throughout the tournament, with his jersey displayed in the locker room and players paying emotional tributes to him on the ice.
“Just to get it done, to score that big goal that USA Hockey, the guys that have worn this jersey before us, have been missing, it's just an incredible feeling,” Larkin said.
Still believing, 46 years later. 🇺🇸#WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/hYfeLskosz
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 22, 2026
“This is for a lot of people. This is for the guys that wore this jersey before us, and Johnny Gaudreau especially. All those people, they should be here with us, Johnny, Matty his brother, and to get it done today is just an unbelievable feeling.”
The Santagiulia Arena erupted in cheers as Team USA fans went wild, chanting "Johnny Hockey" – Gaudreau's iconic nickname – in honor of the late star.
“I think he's had a big impact on a lot of guys in our room, a lot of guys grew up with him, played with him, spent a lot of time with him,” captain Auston Matthews said.
“We had his jersey in our room last year at the Four Nations. We had his jersey in the room here at the Olympics.
“Just a subtle reminder that him and his brother, they're kind of with us in spirit. And to be able to get it done like that, to win, to have his jersey out there and the team photo and have his kids come out and be with us.
“We're obviously thinking of him, and we just felt like the impact that he's had on so many guys in our room was special , and he was with us here in spirit the whole tournament.”
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