Johnny Gaudreau Death: Team USA Honors "Johnny Hockey" With Olympic Gold in Milan

The 2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey gold medal game on Sunday, February 22 in Milan, Italy was far more than a rivalry clash between the United States and Canada. It was a deeply emotional tribute to a fallen star — Johnny Gaudreau, the beloved NHL player killed by an alleged drunk driver in August 2024, whose memory carried Team USA all the way to the podium.

How Johnny Gaudreau Died: The Tragic Night in New Jersey

On the night of August 29, 2024, Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were riding bikes near Oldmans Township, New Jersey. It had been a good day — they were in town for their sister Katie's wedding the next day. But around 8:00 PM ET, the two were struck by a car making an illegal pass. The brothers were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Gaudreau brothers were cycling and were hit from the rear by a motorist attempting to pass other vehicles on a two-lane rural highway. Police responded to the incident at 8:19 PM ET; both brothers were found dead at the scene by the time police arrived.

Johnny Gaudreau was 31 years old. His brother Matthew was 29. Johnny had been working toward making the Team USA roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics when the tragedy struck.

The Driver: Sean Higgins and the Legal Case

The driver, 44-year-old Sean M. Higgins of Woodstown, was arrested for drunk driving and charged with death by auto, after telling responding officers at the scene that he had consumed "five or six" beers before driving and continued to consume alcohol while operating the car. He failed a breathalyzer test.

Sean Higgins is charged with six counts including aggravated manslaughter, reckless vehicular homicide, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. The defense has rejected a plea bargain.

Who Was Johnny Gaudreau? "One of America's Very Best"

Johnny Gaudreau was one of the best hockey players of his generation — a prolific scorer, seven-time All-Star, and member of the NHL's Quarter Century Team. Known as "Johnny Hockey," he was a fourth-round pick by the Calgary Flames in 2011, won the Hobey Baker Award in 2014, and in 2022 signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was widely projected to be one of the first names selected for Team USA's 2026 Olympic roster.

Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed as much. "He was one of America's very best," Sullivan said. "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."

The Olympic Tribute: A Gold Medal for "Johnny Hockey"

Team USA beat Team Canada 2-1 in overtime in the gold medal game on February 22 — the first time the men's hockey team clinched Olympic gold since the famous 1980 "Miracle on Ice." Jack Hughes scored the winning goal in overtime.

Matthew Tkachuk and Zach Werenski went to the stands and hoisted up Gaudreau's two oldest children, Noa and Johnny Jr., and brought them out onto the ice. "To have Johnny and Noa out there," Dylan Larkin said afterward, "it just felt right."

The gold medal game was held on what would have been young Johnny Jr.'s second birthday — a date his father had chosen himself.

Meredith Gaudreau's Words: "You Should Be Here"

The night before the gold medal game, Meredith wrote via Instagram Stories: "You should be here, John, and I'm so sorry you aren't. So proud of you and your legacy."

Meredith told NHL.com during Team USA's run: "It's fun to be a part of this. We wished we were a part of it, so when we got the call to come out, it felt like maybe [Johnny] did make the team. So it's fun here to represent him, and support everyone who's honoring him as well."

Meredith and the couple's three children — Noa, age 3, Johnny Jr., age 2, and infant son Carter, born in 2025 — were all present in Milan. Johnny's parents, Guy and Jane Gaudreau, were seen crying in the stands as teammates raised their son's jersey during the anthem and victory ceremony.

The Gaudreau brothers' widows, Meredith and Madeline, created The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation to honor their husbands' legacies, with a mission to promote youth hockey opportunities and support families affected by drunk driving.