Throughout their two week stay in Milano Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Team USA made sure to hang the jersey of Johnny Gaudreau in their locker room during the tournament. A great player who probably would’ve made the Olympic roster, Gaudreau and younger brother Matthew tragically died in an accident on Aug. 29, 2024.

The tragedy came a day before their sister Katie’s planned wedding that weekend. Instead, they lost their lives while cycling due to a drunk driver who tried to pass them. Johnny left behind wife Meredith, daughter Noa, and son Johnny, Jr. Meredith gave birth to son Carter Michael Gaudreau on Apr. 1, 2025. Matthew left behind wife Madeline, who gave birth to son Tripp Matthew Gaudreau in late December 2024. Parents Guy and Jane had to say goodbye to their sons.

Both the Blue Jackets and Flames held candlelight vigils in their arenas on Sept. 4 in memory of both Johnny and Matthew. On Sept. 9, a funeral service was held for the Gaudreau brothers at Saint Magdalen Parish in Media, Pennsylvania. Former Calgary teammates Sean Monahan, and Andrew Mangiapane, and former Boston College teammate Kevin Hayes were the pallbearers.

Thompson Makes History at 2025 IIHF World Championship for USA

During the 4-Nations Face-Off and 2025 IIHF World Championship, Gaudreau was remembered by Team USA, who designated his own locker stall, with his jersey hanging. It was a reminder of who they were playing for.

After losing the 4-Nations championship to Canada 3-2 on a Connor McDavid goal in overtime, USA won their first gold medal at the World Championship since 1933. Tage Thompson scored the overtime winner to defeat Switzerland 1-0 on May 25, 2025.

The Buffalo Sabres star wasn’t on the USA roster at 4-Nations. However, he was selected to represent the United States at the Olympics. Thompson finished the tournament with three goals and an assist for four points. He played mostly with Dylan Larkin and eventually golden goal hero Jack Hughes, who was moved up by USA head coach Mike Sullivan.

Victorious Americans Pay Tribute to Gaudreau Brothers

Following Hughes getting the winning goal early in sudden death to defeat Canada 2-1 to capture Team USA’s first Olympic gold medal in 46 years, the victorious Americans paid tribute to the Gaudreau brothers.

While the celebration was happening on the ice, players made sure to include two of Gaudreau’s kids while carrying around his USA jersey in a fitting tribute that moved Meredith and the family that attended the gold medal game.

“”It meant the world to me,” she told Fox & Friends in an appearance earlier today. “I really am so thankful to these guys for being really great friends, really great teammates. Just to include our kids and honor John the way they do, it’s all I can ask for right now. I think John would be very flattered, very humbled. It’s just really, really heartwarming that they show him that much respect and continue to do these things. It’s very touching.”

“I think he’s very proud of them,” she said. “Bringing his jersey every step of the way, making him a part of this. He really, really wanted to be a part of this. I think he would be very, very thankful and very proud of these guys.”

Both Noa and Johnny, Jr were included in the team photo at center ice. Matthew Tkachuk held Noa and Larkin held Johnny, Jr as they posed for the memorable picture. It was also Johnny, Jr.’s second birthday. Maybe they were meant to win the gold medal that day.

“They would be very proud. They like a nail-biter, so they probably would’ve been chirping everyone. But they would’ve been proud,” Katie Gaudreau said. “I think there were a couple goals that … they might have had a little help in saving. They didn’t go in. There was a couple times I was watching, ‘How did that not go in?’ I think they might have had some help behind the net. They were never quite defensive so I don’t know if they woulda made their way back in the defensive zone to stop that puck.”

“And then I remember watching the jersey when they were giving out the gold medals and thinking, ‘Wow, it’s still there,’ and as the celebration went on, when they went to do the picture, they stopped for a little bit. We were like, ‘What are they doing? What are they doing?’ And I thought I heard them say earlier, ‘There’s Meredith in the crowd,’ and when they went and got Johnny (Junior) on his second birthday and Noa, it truly meant the world to us because, honestly, this is what John wanted for his children. He wanted them to experience these experiences, these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that he worked so hard for.”

If ever there was such as a thing as destiny, this was it. Team USA’s gold medal win will be fondly remembered by over 20 million viewers who tuned into NBC. The number peaked at 26 million for Hughes’ golden goal.

Jack Hughes Responds to Criticism for Accepting Trump’s Invitation

Since winning Olympic gold, they’ve partied in Miami, toured the White House, and were introduced by President Trump at Tuesday night’s State of The Union address. When he brought them out, chants of “USA, USA, USA!” went up from members of both parties. It was a special moment that brought unity to an otherwise contentious room due to how much they’re at each other’s throats. If only there were more times like the one that prompted Trump to announce that winning goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Honor for his heroic performance.

Sometimes, sports can bring people closer together. On Sunday in Milan, that was the case. There’s been a lot said since Team USA accepted Trump’s invitation. Too much has been made of the players laughing at the president’s joke about ‘we’re going to have to invite the women or I think I’d probably be impeached’ during a phone call in the locker room. They were enjoying celebrating a historic victory.

Listening to Jack Hughes speak yesterday, he said it best about how much they supported the women’s team that won gold by edging Canada 2-1 in sudden death. A very humble and respectful player, Hughes spoke about how close they were during the two weeks in the Olympic Village. They even sometimes train together during the off-season.

In that moment, a 24-year-old superstar showed more common sense and decency than much older grown-ups who act like they’re still in grade school. The world needs more people like Jack and Quinn Hughes.

In the end, they’re champions. The way they honored Gaudreau made it so special. That should be the biggest takeaway from Team USA making history. He’s definitely smiling down and proud of them.