Team USA honors Johnny Gaudreau as Olympic run reaches semifinal

johnny gaudreau’s No. 13 jersey hangs in the Team USA locker room in Milan as the Americans enter the Olympic semifinal, and teammates say they are carrying his memory with them into the remaining games. The presence of his jersey and a banner bearing his and his brother’s numbers has become a rallying point for the roster.

johnny gaudreau presence in Milan

Players have described using present-tense references to johnny gaudreau while competing at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. That sense of ongoing connection shows in locker-room rituals and in comments from veterans and younger players alike, who say his dedication to the game and to family remains an inspiration.

Johnny Gaudreau jersey and banner

The No. 13 jersey is displayed above a banner that also shows Matthew Gaudreau’s No. 21 from Boston College. The team previously hung Johnny’s jersey at the Four Nations Face-Off and at the 2025 IIHF World Championship in Denmark, where the U. S. won gold. The family posted a message in early February saying that representing the United States was one of John’s greatest dreams and noting that, in his final summer, he was training harder than ever to earn an Olympic spot.

Team USA inspired entering semifinal

Coaching staff and players have spoken about Gaudreau’s character and impact. The head coach said Gaudreau provided inspiration through how he lived and competed, describing him as a good person on and off the ice. Defenseman Noah Hanifin said many in the room were close to Johnny and are "carrying him with us, " and forward Brock Nelson highlighted Gaudreau’s positive presence and attitude.

Gaudreau’s on-ice record with the national program and in the NHL is part of why teammates feel his absence so keenly. Internationally, he represented the United States at multiple events, led the 2013 World Junior Championship with seven goals when the U. S. won gold, and helped the U. S. win bronze at the 2018 World Championship. In IIHF men’s play, he appeared in five World Championships and totaled 43 points in 40 games, the most points in USA men’s IIHF history. In the NHL, he recorded 742 points (242 goals, 500 assists) in 763 games while playing for Calgary and Columbus from 2014–24.

• Key takeaways: the team has made Gaudreau’s memory a visible part of its identity; players and coaches point to his character as motivational fuel; the U. S. will play the gold-medal game Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET.

The Americans are scheduled to face Team Canada in the gold-medal game on Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET. With that game looming, team leaders have said the roster is focused on honoring Gaudreau’s legacy through how they prepare and play. If the U. S. advances on its current path, the locker-room tributes will remain a prominent part of the story around the team.

Uncertainties remain about how the emotional weight of the tribute will shape performance in the decisive game, but the organization’s repeated choice to carry Johnny’s jersey into major tournaments underscores a clear, ongoing intention: to represent his dream at the Olympic stage.