USA Honors Late Johnny Gaudreau After Gold-Medal Win as Son Attends Olympic Final on 2nd Birthday

Following the gold medal game in men's hockey at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics against Canada, the United States honored late Team USA and NHL forward Johnny Gaudreau.

After the Americans beat Canada 2-1 in overtime on a Jack Hughes goal to win the United States' first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey since 1980, Team USA stars Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk and Zach Werenski held up Gaudreau's U.S. jersey while skating around the ice:

Gaudreau's U.S. jersey was hung in Team USA's locker room, and Gaudreau's family was in attendance to watch the game in Milan, Italy. That included his son, Johnny Jr., who was celebrating his second birthday:

In August 2024, the elder Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, died when they were struck by a vehicle while cycling in New Jersey.

Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Sean Higgins was charged in the deaths of the Gaudreau brothers after registering a blood-alcohol level of .087, which was above the legal limit of .08.

In a statement released this month on the Gaudreau family's Instagram account, it was noted that, "Representing Team USA at the Olympics was one of [Johnny's] greatest dreams."

Also included in the statement, "In that final summer, John was training harder than ever, with his dad, pushing himself to be in the best shape of his life. He was determined to earn his spot on that Olympic roster."

Johnny, who was 31 at the time of his death, spent 11 seasons in the NHL with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets from 2013 to 2024.

He recorded 243 goals and 500 assists for 743 points in 763 regular-season games. Gaudreau was also a seven-time All-Star and one-time winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most gentlemanly player.

Nicknamed "Johnny Hockey," Gaudreau also represented Team USA on multiple occasions, including at the World Junior Championships and World Championships.

Gaudreau won WJC gold in 2013, and took home bronze at the 2018 IIHF World Championships.

When Team USA won gold at the World Championships last year for the first time since 1960, the squad celebrated by holding up Gaudreau's jersey.

On Sunday, the Americans did the exact same thing, showing love and respect for their fallen teammate.