Johnny Gaudreau tribute in Milan as johnny gaudreau remembered during U.S. gold run

Team USA carried the memory of johnny gaudreau through the Winter Olympics in Milan, honoring him and his brother as the Americans reached — and ultimately won — the gold-medal game against Canada. The tribute mattered both for a grieving family that traveled to Milan and for teammates who said Gaudreau would have been on the roster and wanted to be there.

Johnny Gaudreau honored in the Milano Santagiulia locker room

The U. S. team dedicated space in its locker room at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena to the Gaudreau brothers. A blue No. 13 Gaudreau jersey hung as a reminder of the player known as "Johnny Hockey, " and the team set a nameplate and spot for his jersey in the room.

Family arrived in Milan: Jane and Guy, Meredith and the children

Jane and Guy Gaudreau, along with Johnny's widow, Meredith, and their two oldest children, arrived in Milan on Friday. The parents had been planning a trip to Las Vegas and initially hesitated after USA Hockey invited them to attend; Jane said their two daughters urged them, "You have to go. The boys would want you to do this. This would mean so much to John. "

Team USA's on-ice tributes during a 46-year milestone gold

The United States won the men's hockey gold medal for the first time in 46 years in an overtime thriller against Canada. Team members brought Gaudreau's jersey around the ice with them after the gold-medal game and held it as they received their gold medals. For the team picture, they brought Gaudreau's kids out on the ice with them. Captain Auston Matthews said, "Johnny had an impact on a lot of guys in this locker room. It's special to see his family here. I know that those two are watching down on us, here with us in spirit. "

Teammates and coach recalled Gaudreau's place on the projected roster

Guy Gaudreau said USA Hockey told the family that their oldest son was on the projected roster; Guy spoke during the third period of the U. S. semifinal win Friday night: "He wanted to be on this team. And it would've been nice if he'd been here. " Coach Mike Sullivan confirmed that Gaudreau would have been on the team if he were still alive, saying, "He was one of America's very best. 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. "

Memories from teammates: Hanifin, Werenski, Larkin and McAvoy

Noah Hanifin recalled playing with Johnny on the Calgary Flames and said, "Johnny was close to a lot of guys in that room. We know he'd be here with us, so we've been thinking about him and carrying him with us. " Zach Werenski, who played with Gaudreau on the U. S. team, said Meredith reached out to his wife a few days earlier to let them know they were coming and added, "It's great having them here, and it's super special. We're happy that we made it to the gold-medal game so they can watch that and be a part of it. It's on us to make them proud. " Dylan Larkin, who played with Gaudreau at multiple world championships, said, "It means everything - we all know he should be here with us. He should be with us. We love him, and I like that we continue to think about him and I wouldn't imagine it any other way. " Charlie McAvoy added, "Just an amazing person, just an infectious personality, " and the partial remark in the record continued with "The detail, really".

How the tragedy unfolded and the tributes since

Johnny and Matthew died on Aug. 29, 2024. They were struck while riding bicycles near their hometown in New Jersey on the eve of their sister Katie's wedding; accounts describe the vehicle as an SUV and also say the driver was drunk and that the incident occurred at night. Their deaths shocked the hockey community, and they have been honored since by retired numbers, a memorial 5K and more. Jane noted that he and Matthew had watched the Olympics growing up "always with eyes on playing in it, " and said, "It was their dream. "

Gaudreau's career and what he meant to the U. S. team

An elite player a decade into his NHL career and the all-time U. S. leading scorer in international play, johnny gaudreau was on track to be in Milan for the tournament that wrapped up Sunday with the Americans facing Canada for the gold-medal game. The Gaudreau family connections to players on the roster run deep, from Boston College to the NHL, and teammates said Johnny would have been there to represent his country and to share in the milestone the team achieved.