Following their historic overtime victory over Canada that secured America’s first Olympic hockey gold in over four decades, the U.S. men’s hockey team made sure to remember a fallen teammate who couldn’t be there to celebrate with them.
Johnny Gaudreau, a 31-year-old forward who had competed alongside many of these players, was tragically killed in August 2024 when a drunk driver struck him and his brother Matthew while they were riding bicycles. The fatal accident occurred just three months after Gaudreau had represented the United States at the World Championships.
During Sunday’s medal presentation ceremony in Milan, team members displayed Gaudreau’s number 13 jersey as they stood together celebrating their dramatic victory. The touching tribute continued when players Zach Werenski and Dylan Larkin brought Gaudreau’s children from the spectator area down to the ice surface, where they participated in the championship team photograph alongside their father’s jersey.
“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.
“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.”
American supporters in the Santagiulia arena could be heard shouting “Johnny Hockey” — Gaudreau’s well-known nickname — throughout the celebration that followed the championship victory.
Team captain Auston Matthews explained the deep connection many players shared with Gaudreau and how the team kept his memory present throughout their Olympic journey.
“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.”
