Team USA Inspired by Gaudreau's Legacy as It Enters Olympic Semifinal

Players 'carrying him with us' ahead of game with Slovakia

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The U.S. Olympic hockey team is honoring the memory of Johnny Gaudreau, who died tragically in 2024, by keeping his jersey in the locker room and using his legacy as inspiration as they compete in the Olympic semifinals. Gaudreau was a star player for the U.S. national team and in the NHL, and his family says representing the U.S. at the Olympics was one of his greatest dreams.

Why it matters

Gaudreau's death at a young age was a tragic loss for the hockey community, but his spirit and dedication to the game continue to motivate the U.S. team as they chase an Olympic gold medal. The team is honoring Gaudreau's memory and using it as a source of inspiration to push them forward.

The details

Johnny Gaudreau's No. 13 jersey hangs in the U.S. team's locker room, and the players refer to him in the present tense, feeling his presence with them. Gaudreau and his brother Matthew died in a bicycle accident in 2024, just before Matthew's wedding. The U.S. team has carried Gaudreau's jersey with them to previous tournaments, where they've found success. Now, as they prepare for the Olympic semifinal against Slovakia, the team is 'carrying him with us' and determined to honor his legacy.

  • Johnny Gaudreau died on August 29, 2024.
  • The U.S. team hung Gaudreau's jersey in their locker room at the 4 Nations Face-Off last season and the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where they won gold.
  • The U.S. plays Slovakia in the Olympic semifinal on Friday, February 19, 2026 (3:10 p.m. ET).

The players

Johnny Gaudreau

A former NHL player who represented the U.S. national team multiple times, including winning gold at the 2013 World Junior Championship. He tragically passed away in 2024 at the age of 31.

Matthew Gaudreau

Johnny Gaudreau's brother, who also died in the 2024 bicycle accident at the age of 29.

Mike Sullivan

The head coach of the U.S. Olympic hockey team, who says Gaudreau was an inspiration to the players both on and off the ice.

Noah Hanifin

A defenseman on the U.S. Olympic hockey team, who says the team has been 'thinking about [Gaudreau] and carrying him with us' as they compete.

Brock Nelson

A forward on the U.S. Olympic hockey team, who says Gaudreau was an 'incredible player and person' who brought a great attitude and presence to the team.

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What they’re saying

“He provides a lot of inspiration for all of us with how he lived his life, his dedication to the game, his family. 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.”

— Mike Sullivan, Head Coach, U.S. Olympic Hockey Team (nhl.com)

“It's amazing. Johnny was close to a lot of guys in that room. You know he'd be here with us. We've been thinking about him and carrying him with us, so just excited to go out and keep winning and doing it for him.”

— Noah Hanifin, Defenseman, U.S. Olympic Hockey Team (nhl.com)

“Johnny's an incredible player and person. I think he brought a smile and just had a great attitude about him and brought a presence that everyone just enjoyed being around him. Obviously, it's tragic what happened. To honor the family is probably the least thing we could do to honor somebody who probably would have been here.”

— Brock Nelson, Forward, U.S. Olympic Hockey Team (nhl.com)

What’s next

The U.S. team will face off against Team Slovakia in the Olympic semifinal on Friday, February 19, 2026 at 3:10 p.m. ET. A win would advance them to the gold medal game.

The takeaway

Gaudreau's tragic passing has left a profound impact on the U.S. Olympic hockey team, but they are using his memory and legacy as inspiration to push them forward in their quest for gold. The team is honoring Gaudreau by keeping his jersey in the locker room and carrying his spirit with them, determined to win for him and his family.