US Men's Hockey Team Honors Late Star Johnny Gaudreau with Gold Medal Victory

The team carried Gaudreau's memory throughout the 2026 Olympic tournament, culminating in an emotional celebration of his life and legacy.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 9:12pm

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The United States men's hockey team's recent gold medal victory at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games was more than just a sporting achievement; it was a deeply emotional tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau, a former Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames star who tragically passed away in 2024. The team carried Gaudreau's memory throughout the tournament, culminating in a poignant celebration of his life and legacy.

Why it matters

Gaudreau's passing had a profound impact on the team, and honoring his memory became a central motivation for their gold medal run. The emotional weight of playing in Gaudreau's honor fueled the team's performance, and the victory lap carrying his jersey was a powerful moment that resonated with fans.

The details

The team prominently displayed Gaudreau's No. 13 jersey in the locker room throughout the Games, and during the gold medal celebration, captain Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski, and Matthew Tkachuk carried Gaudreau's jersey for a victory lap around the ice. Teammates spoke openly about their desire to win for Gaudreau, emphasizing the special motivation he provided.

  • Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were tragically killed in a car accident in New Jersey in August 2024.
  • The US men's hockey team won the gold medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games.

The players

Johnny Gaudreau

A former Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames star who tragically passed away in 2024 alongside his brother, Matthew, in a car accident.

Auston Matthews

The captain of the US men's hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics.

Zach Werenski

A member of the US men's hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics.

Matthew Tkachuk

A member of the US men's hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics.

Dylan Larkin

A member of the US men's hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics, playing for the Detroit Red Wings.

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What they’re saying

“It means everything — we all know he should be here with us. He should be with us. We love him, and I like that we continue to think about him and I wouldn't imagine it any other way.”

— Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings player (newsy-today.com)

“He was one of America's very best…an inspiration to our players to this very day.”

— Mike Sullivan, Head coach, US men's hockey team (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The Gaudreau family will continue to be honored and remembered by the US men's hockey team and the broader hockey community.

The takeaway

The US men's hockey team's gold medal victory at the 2026 Olympics was more than just a sporting achievement - it was a deeply emotional tribute to the life and legacy of Johnny Gaudreau, a beloved player who tragically passed away. The team's dedication to honoring Gaudreau's memory throughout the tournament, culminating in the poignant celebration on the ice, underscores the profound impact he had on his teammates and the sport.