Johnny Gaudreau: Team USA brings late johnny gaudreau’s kids on ice during medal ceremony
Team USA honored johnny gaudreau in the immediate aftermath of its Olympic final victory, bringing his children onto the ice during the medal celebration. The move capped a series of tributes that kept Gaudreau’s presence visible throughout the tournament and provided a private moment for his family during the gold-medal ceremony.
Milan final, a 2-1 overtime win and P. K. Subban’s praise
The event unfolded in Milan after the U. S. men’s hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime in the Olympic final on Sunday. P. K. Subban offered full praise for the team's performance following the win, highlighting the significance of the gold medal for the roster and staff.
Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk skate with the No. 13 jersey
In the immediate celebration, Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk skated around the ice carrying the No. 13 jersey that belonged to the late Johnny Gaudreau. Matthews, the team captain, said the team wanted the jersey included in the team photo to emphasize how much Gaudreau meant to the group, noting that he was "with us in spirit the whole tournament. "
Johnny Gaudreau's children Noa and Johnny Jr. join Team USA photo
After skating with the No. 13 jersey, players brought Gaudreau’s children Noa and Johnny Jr. onto the ice as part of the group photo. Team USA posed for the image with the children at center ice, a deliberate gesture to include the family in the celebration while Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith, and his parents, Guy and Jane, watched from the stands.
How the team kept johnny gaudreau’s memory present during the tournament
The roster maintained visible tributes throughout the Olympic run: Team USA hung Gaudreau’s jersey in its locker room for each game during the tournament, a tradition the group carried over from last year's 4 Nations Face-Off. Gaudreau, 31, and his younger brother Matthew, 29, were killed in 2024 when they were struck by an SUV while riding bicycles. Johnny had committed to the U. S. program by attending the world championships in the spring before his death and would have been a candidate to make the Olympic team.
Teammates described Gaudreau as a beloved teammate and a gifted playmaker who was nearly a point-per-game player over his 763 career games, and they repeatedly referenced his absence as they accepted the medal.
Player reactions: Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski on loss, inclusion and the moment
Dylan Larkin summed up the team’s approach by saying, "Everyone is included in everything, " describing Team USA as a tight-knit group that felt the presence of the Gaudreaus throughout the tournament. Larkin reflected that "Johnny and Matty should be here, " calling their deaths the biggest loss for USA Hockey, and said that having Johnny Jr. and Noa out there "just felt right. " He added that, in a lighter moment, it was ironic to imagine Gaudreau on the defensive side and joked that "he would've never been back there, " while also saying, "we miss him and we love him, and we love his family. "
Zach Werenski, who was one of Gaudreau’s teammates with the Columbus Blue Jackets, said the team had discussed getting the whole family on the ice but that it was difficult with the gate, so they chose to bring out the children. Werenski called it a "special moment" to see Guy and Jane in the crowd. Several U. S. players noted they felt the Gaudreaus' presence at key moments, with Larkin even suggesting that Johnny and Matthew somehow helped keep the puck out of the U. S. net during the run.
Boston College roots and team friendships
The Gaudreau brothers were hockey teammates at Boston College and remained close friends with several players on the current U. S. roster, a connection teammates cited as part of why they leaned into visible, personal tributes during the Olympic tournament.
