U.S. Men's Hockey Team Honors Late Teammate Gaudreau at Olympics

Team carries on Gaudreau's legacy as they compete for gold against Canada

Feb. 21, 2026 at 9:04pm

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The U.S. men's hockey team is honoring their late teammate Johnny Gaudreau as they prepare to face Canada in the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Gaudreau, a former Columbus Blue Jackets forward, tragically passed away in 2024 at the age of 31. Though not physically present, his memory and jersey have been kept alive by his friends and former teammates on the U.S. squad, who are determined to win gold in his honor.

Why it matters

Gaudreau's death was a devastating loss for the hockey community, and the U.S. team's tribute to him at the Olympics is a poignant way to celebrate his life and legacy. As they compete for the gold medal, the team is driven to make Gaudreau proud and bring home the championship in his memory.

The details

The U.S. team has hung Gaudreau's No. 13 jersey in the locker room, just as they did during last year's 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2025 world championships. Teammate Zach Werenski, who played with Gaudreau on the Blue Jackets, said it's been "super special to see his jersey hanging," a reminder of who they're playing for. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy also said he's sure Gaudreau is "smiling as we're getting ready to play for a gold medal." Gaudreau was a hopeful to join Team USA in Milan-Cortina, and his family has expressed pride and heartache knowing how much the Olympics meant to him.

  • Gaudreau died on August 29, 2024 in a tragic bicycle accident.
  • The U.S. men's hockey team will play Canada for the gold medal on February 22, 2026.

The players

Johnny Gaudreau

A former Columbus Blue Jackets forward who tragically passed away in 2024 at the age of 31. Gaudreau was a hopeful to join Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which was one of his greatest dreams.

Zach Werenski

A U.S. hockey player who played with Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets. Werenski has said it's "super special" to see Gaudreau's jersey hanging in the locker room as a reminder of who they're playing for.

Charlie McAvoy

A U.S. hockey defenseman who believes Gaudreau is "smiling" as the team prepares to play for the gold medal.

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What they’re saying

“[Gaudreau] looking down on us right now. I'm sure he's smiling as we're getting ready to play for a gold medal.”

— Charlie McAvoy, U.S. Defenseman

“It's been super special to see his jersey hanging. A reminder of who we're playing for.”

— Zach Werenski, U.S. Hockey Player

What’s next

The U.S. men's hockey team will face off against Canada in the gold medal game on February 22, 2026.

The takeaway

The U.S. team's tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau is a poignant way to honor his memory and legacy as they compete for the Olympic gold medal. Gaudreau's friends and former teammates are driven to make him proud and bring home the championship in his honor.