USA players pay tribute to Johnny Gaudreau in touching Olympic moment
Team USA finally managed to get the best of Canada on the Olympic stage, and they made sure to bring the memory of Johnny Gaudreau along with them.
It was a thrilling OT victory in the gold medal game, with Jack Hughes securing the golden goal to deliver the United States to the top of the podium. It was a historic moment for USA Hockey, which captured its first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since Lake Placid 1980.
The celebration was one for the ages, and USA players were sure to include Gaudreau in the jubilation. Players skated around the rink clad in the American flag while also carrying a #13 Gaudreau USA jersey.
Though he wasn’t able to play for this American squad, his memory was at the forefront of their victory. The team was also joined by Gaudreau’s two oldest kids, Noa and Johnny Jr, the latter of whom turned two today.
“It’s more than a game,” J.T. Miller said after the game. “He obviously would be on this team and be a huge part of it. A guy that I grew up playing with and against and knew pretty well. It’s more than hockey at that point; his family got to be here.
“Just sucks. You know, he deserved better, and obviously, he had a big part of how things went down today, and we celebrate him as long as we can.”
Gold for Gaudreau 🩵 #MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/ePT6lFn89O
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) February 22, 2026
Gaudreau would have been a lock to be on this team if he were still alive. The NHL superstar sadly died back in the summer of 2024 after a tragic incident that involved a vehicle striking Johnny and his brother Matthew while they were riding their bikes.
The hockey world mourned the loss of the Gaudreau brothers, and the tributes have continued ever since. Team USA also reserved a stall for Gaudreau during the Olympic tournament.
“It’s just what he means to our whole entire team, what he means to USA Hockey,” Brady Tkachuk told reporters. “We miss him, and [Matthew] so dearly, and he would have been on this team.
“He’s touched everybody on that ice, USA hockey’s lives, and we just wanted to show the Gaudreau family our support. He was so near and dear to a lot of us, and we miss him greatly, and we did it for him.”
Tributes weren’t limited to on the ice, as the crowd got a “Johnny Hockey” chant started in the arena as well.
There is a "Johnny Hockey" 🇺🇸 chant raining down inside Santagiulia Arena in Milan 🇮🇹
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 22, 2026
It’s a tough loss for Canadian hockey fans, but as painful as it is to see the Americans celebrate, it was a touching tribute for Guadreau and his family.